Man Arrested Over Large Cannabis Growing Operation At Singleton

BY IAN CROUCH

A Vietnamese national is due to face court today (Thursday 17 September 2020) accused of cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis at Singleton.

Following inquiries, Police went to a home on Dimmock Street at Hunterview at about 5.30pm on Wednesday where they discovered a sophisticated hydroponic set-up.

It's alleged they found 258 plants growing inside.

A 28-year-old man was arrested at the home and has been refused bail to front Singleton Local Court  charged with four offences including cultivating a prohibited plant.

Police will remain at the house today where they are processing and dismantling the set-up.

Nearly $8 million of Cannabis and 12 Industrial Grow Houses Dismantled Near Muswellbrook

BY ISABEL EVERETT


Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have charged two people after dismantling 12 large-scale industrial grow houses near Muswellbrook and seizing cannabis with a street value of nearly $8 million.

In November last year, 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 remote property near Muswellbrook being used for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.

Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives executed a crime scene warrant at a property on the Golden Highway at Gungal, about 58km south-east of Muswellbrook, around 9am on Thursday August 20.

During the search, investigators seized 2628 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of $7.8 million.

Officers also located equipment consistent with the cultivation of cannabis within 12 large-scale industrial grow houses, which were subsequently dismantled.

Two men – aged 24 and 29 – were arrested at the property and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.

The Cabramatta men were both charged with cultivating a prohibiteded plant (large commercial quantity).

Both men were refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Friday August 21.

Investigations by the Drug and Firearms Squad are continuing.

Police raids uncover hundreds of cannabis plants in Maitland area

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A major hydroponic operation has been dismantled in the Maitland area following a raid of 6 homes this morning.

Port Stephens-Hunter Police executed crime scene warrants around 8am today on homes in Raworth, Tenambit, Heddon Greta, Aberglasslyn and Chisholm.

Three men and one woman, all Vietnamese nationals, were arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station after their extremely sophisticated hydroponic setups were discovered.

Hundreds of cannabis plants were found in each of the homes, which were set up with fake walls, watering systems, transformers and growing lights.

Strike Force Devom was formed in December last year to investigate a cluster of hydro-houses believed to be in the area.

Hydro-houses are set up to look like ordinary homes- one of the houses raided today was decorated with Christmas lights to blend-in with the family neighbourhood.

Electricians were called in to cut the homes' power supplies, as investigations continue into whether the properties are part of an organised crime gang.