Melbourne man Sime Govic sent to jail for Lara cannabis operation
A man whose missed rental payment for a Lara property tipped police off to a sophisticated cannabis operation has been jailed.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Melbourne man who rented a Lara property to set up an elaborate cannabis ring will call jail home for the next few months.
Police came across more than 3.45kg of cannabis plants and seedlings growing in a hydroponic grow room in a shed at the back of the property and in a smaller set up inside a bedroom cupboard.
Sime Govic, 29, who is expected to live in Melbourne’s CBD on his release, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court last week to cultivating and trafficking cannabis, theft of a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods and using false documents to prejudice.
Magistrate Ann McGarvie sentenced Govic to five months behind bars, with 62 days already served, on Wednesday afternoon.
Govic was also placed on an 18 month community corrections order.
In March 2022, Govic rented the Lara home using false identity documents, utility bills and employee pay slips.
He fell $3000 behind on his rental payments a few months later and the real estate agency applied to a tribunal to have him evicted.
On direction from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, police from the Lara station arrived at the home to kick Govic out.
During a search of the property, officers found the grow room had been fitted with lighting heaters, watering systems and ventilation to care for the six cannabis plants and 12 pots containing root systems.
A smaller hydroponics area in the bedroom contained 24 seedlings.
Police also came across stolen property, including parts of a motorbike, registration plates and a ute.
Govic’s lawyer, Tom Acutt, told the court last week that his client has issues with “impulsivity”, but this was dismissed by prosecution who argued the crime was “quite complex”.
“It’s not something you can just do on the spur of the moment,” police told the court.
More Coverage
Originally published as Melbourne man Sime Govic sent to jail for Lara cannabis operation
Stalked, chased by kids with knives: Residential worker’s hell
A Geelong woman who says a child punched her in the stomach and threatened to kill her unborn baby while she worked in residential care has launched legal action against her former employer.
Coroner probing deaths of Corio siblings in shed fire nightmare
A coroner is weighing up whether an inquest is required into the deaths of three young children in a suburban backyard a year on from the tragedy that rocked Geelong.