Police have charged a woman and uncovered 11 houses with indoor hydroponic cannabis set-ups as part of an ongoing operation in south-west Sydney, NSW Police say.
Strike Force Zambesi, comprising officers from Wetherill Park and Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squads, was established in April 2011 to target the indoor cultivation of cannabis throughout the region.
Just after 7.30am today, officers attacked to the strike force executed a search warrant at a home in Fairfield West.
Police found two rooms inside the property being used to hydroponically grow cannabis and seized 58 cannabis plants.
A 43-year-old woman and her four children – aged four, six, 13 and 16 – were present at the property at the time of the search warrant.
The children were placed in the care of friends and the Department of Family and Community Services has been notified.
The woman was arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station where she was charged with cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity), enhanced indoor cultivation (commercial quantity) expose child, and use/consume/waste electricity without authority.
Bail and court details are yet to be determined.
It is the latest in a serious of search warrants executed by Strike Force Zambesi with six raids also occurring at homes in Georges Hall, Yagoona, Smithfield, Bankstown, and a second home in Fairfield.
Officers located and seized more than 500 cannabis plants, including 100 at Georges Hall, 52 at Yagoona, 146 at Smithfield, and 201 at Bankstown.
Four search warrants were executed yesterday at two homes in Condell Park, a home in Smithfield and a home in Canley Heights.
Officers seized 123 cannabis plants at Canley Heights, 60 cannabis plants at Smithfield, and 48 and 43 cannabis plants at the Condell Park homes.
Since its formation, Strike Force Zambesi has:
- Executed more than 450 search warrants;
- Seized 53,000 cannabis plants, with an estimated potential street value of $155 million; and,
- Arrested 200 people and laid more than 500 charges.
Further investigations are continuing and anyone with information about the cultivation/manufacture, supply or possession of prohibited drugs is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers.
