Detectives have charged a man and seized more than $3 million worth of cannabis across Western Sydney and the state's Central Coast, as part of ongoing investigations into the cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.
In November 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Harthouse to investigate the cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.
Their inquiries uncovered a rural property near Gosford being used for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from Brisbane Water Police District, executed a crime scene warrant at the property on Berecry Road at Mangrove Mountain, from 3.45pm on Thursday (27 May 2021).
Investigators located and seized 630 cannabis plants, with an estimated potential street value of $2.2 million.
A 25-year-old Parramatta man was arrested at the property and taken to Gosford Police Station.
Following further inquiries, Drug and Firearms Squad detectives, with assistance from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS) and Parramatta Police Area Command, executed two search warrants at adjacent homes at Rosehill Road, Parramatta, from 11pm.
During the searches, officers located an enhanced indoor hydroponic cannabis set-up within one of the homes and seized a further 230 cannabis plants.
Officers also seized electronic devices and equipment consistent with the cultivation and supply of cannabis.
The man was subsequently charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity).
He was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court yesterday (Friday 28 May 2021), where he was refused bail to reappear at the same court on Friday 23 July 2021.
In total during the operation, officers seized cannabis with a combined estimated potential street value of more than $3 million.
Inquiries under Strike Force Harthouse are continuing.
Anyone with information about this cultivation or supply of cannabis is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
