1750 cannabis plants, 2.2kg of dried cannabis seized, two arrested in Bundaberg bust

Detectives have charged two people and destroyed a large cannabis crop on a farm near Bundaberg as part of ongoing investigations into a national drug syndicate. SEE THE VIDEO

Detectives have charged two people and destroyed a large cannabis crop on a farm near Bundaberg as part of ongoing investigations into a national drug syndicate.

Operation Whiskey Unearth was established in November 2024 after police identified organised crime groups were allegedly buying isolated farms in rural Queensland, including a property on Campaninis Road, Redridge, to grow large amounts of cannabis for distribution to national markets.

A statement released by police o Monday afternoon said that after months of extensive investigations, with the assistance of the Wide Bay Tactical Crime Squad and Dog Squad, and Bundaberg police and Scenes of Crime, officers executed a search warrant at the Redridge property on Thursday.

It said police located and seized 1750 cannabis plants being grown on the property and about 2.2kg of dried cannabis.

During the search, police located and arrested two men, later identified to be alleged unlawful citizens from Vietnam.

A 29-year-old Redridge man has been charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs Schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding Schedule 3 and two counts of possessing anything used in the commission of crime.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on April 7.

A 28-year-old Inala man has been charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs Schedule 2 drug quantity of or exceeding Schedule 3 and two counts of possessing anything used in the commission of crime.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on April 7.

Detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Command State Drug Squad have charged two people and destroyed a large cannabis crop on a rural farm in Bundaberg as part of ongoing investigations into a national drug syndicate.

Investigations into this identified syndicate and other linked rural properties are ongoing.

Detective Inspector Brad Phelps from the State Drug Squad said they remained committed to infiltrating the network.

“The State Drug Squad continues to take targeted and strategic action against these national and international syndicates to disrupt the supply of drugs into Queensland communities,” Detective Inspector Phelps said.

“We have an expansive intelligence system and technology to ensure we’re able to effectively monitor rural properties and persons that might be involved in and profiting from this illicit activity.”