Police have laid additional charges against a man over an alleged cannabis cultivation network uncovered in Sydney last year with an estimated potential street value of more than $4 million, NSW Police say.
Strike Force Grassy, comprising officers from the Redfern Region Enforcement Squad (RES), was established to investigate the ongoing cultivation and distribution of cannabis across Sydney.
Following extensive inquiries, officers executed six search warrants at residential homes in Peakhurst, Padstow, Bankstown, Yagoona, Beverly Hills and Granville on Wednesday 30 November 2016.
During the operation, two men – aged 24 and 26 – and two 22-year-old men were arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station. In addition, two women – aged 22 and 21 – were arrested and also taken to Bankstown Police Station.
A 24-year-old Peakhurst man was charged with cultivate prohibited plant (x 10), direct criminal group, and deal in proceeds of crime.
The other five individuals were also charged with drug-related offences and appeared before Bankstown Local Court in December.
Police also executed search warrants at an additional 10 homes in Guildford, Miranda, Lidcombe, Kogarah, Beverly Hills, Granville, two in North Strathfield, and two in Strathfield.
Further inquiries have since led police to nine more properties in Strathfield, Eastwood, Rydalmere, Bossley Park, Parramatta, Greenacre, Penrith and two in Merrylands, where they also executed search warrants.
Each of the 19 homes contained a sophisticated hydroponic set-up that police will allege was created for the indoor cultivation of cannabis.
Officers subsequently dismantled the equipment; seizing more than 2300 plants, cash, numerous documentation and further drug paraphernalia. Investigators will allege the plants seized have an estimated potential street value of more than $4 million.
The 24-year-old Peakhurst man – who police will allege in court was the ring leader of the network – was yesterday charged with nine additional counts of cultivate prohibited plant.
He remained in custody following his arrest in November, and is now due to appear before Burwood Local Court today.
Anyone with information about suspicious properties is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
