750 Cannabis plants worth $2.5 million.

750 cannabis plants worth $2.5 million seized during raids on properties throughout suburban Sydney

Friday, 29 November 2013 07:25:27 PM

Police have charged three people and seized more than 750 cannabis plants and fraudulent documents during raids on properties in Rockdale, Yagoona, Carlingford and Penshurst over the last two days.

Around 3.30pm on Wednesday (27 November 2013), investigators from the Redfern Region Enforcement Squad executed a search warrant at a property on Tyrell Street in Rockdale, where they allegedly located 39 cannabis plants and a number of items used in the hydroponic growth of cannabis.

Wednesday’s search warrant was followed by search warrants at properties on The Avenue, Yagoona; Donald Street, Carlingford and Forest Road, Penshurst yesterday (Thursday 28 November 2013).

At the Yagoona property, police allegedly located a quantity of fraudulent documents, including fake driver’s licenses.

At the Carlingford address, officers allegedly located a hydroponic cannabis cultivation set-up and seized 174 cannabis plants.

A further 544 cannabis plants were seized during a search warrant conducted at a house in Penshurst.

In total, 757 cannabis plants were seized as a result of the police operation. The total value of the plants is believed to be in excess of $2.5 million.

A 27-year-old woman from Yagoona and a 23-year-old man from Springvale in Victoria were arrested and charged with drug cultivation and supply offences (the Springvale man was arrested at the Rockdale address).

Both have been refused bail, with the woman next due to appear in Burwood Local Court on Monday (2 December 2013) and the man next due to appear in Kogarah Local Court on Thursday (5 December 2013).

A 23-year-old Cabramatta man was arrested at the Penshurst property and charged with cultivation of prohibited drugs (cannabis). He was refused bail and appeared in Sutherland Local Court today (Friday 29 November 2013).

The NSW Police Force’s drug reporting campaign identifies the seven signs that indicate a house may be being used for drug manufacturing:

• Strange odours emanating from the property

• Diverted electricity

• Chemical containers and waste

• Blacked out windows

• Hoses and pipes in strange places

• Blinds down, with extremely bright indoor lighting radiating through gaps

• Vehicles arriving at odd hours