Marian drug network smashed as marijuana production home raided

Police have made the most ‘significant’ drug bust in recent years with more than 100kg of marijuana and other illicit drugs seized from a dedicated drug-production home in a regional Queensland town.

A major marijuana production and trafficking network in the Pioneer Valley has been smashed and more than $700,000 worth of drugs seized.

A three-bedroom home with specific areas designed to each stage of marijuana production and sale was raided early Friday morning.

Police will allege 115kg of marijuana and $15,000 cash was found inside the home, including growing plants and dried material destined for the Mackay region market.

A major marijuana production and trafficking network in the Pioneer Valley has been smashed and more than $700,000 worth of drugs seized from a Marian property. Picture: QPS

Quantities of other drugs were also allegedly found including 87 MDMA capsules, 0.6g of cocaine and 47 LSD tabs.

Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Heller said the haul was a “significant amount” and one of the largest seizures in the district in recent years.

A major marijuana production and trafficking network in the Pioneer Valley has been smashed and more than $700,000 worth of drugs seized from a Marian property. Picture: QPS

Sergeant Heller said it would be alleged growing plants, dried material and packages of the drug were found inside the home, with one bedroom dedicated to each stage of the process.

He said about 50kg of dried marijuana was seized, with an estimated street value in excess of $700,000.

“Two male offenders were arrested and charged with a total of 16 offences,” he said.

A major marijuana production and trafficking network in the Pioneer Valley has been smashed and more than $700,000 worth of drugs seized from a Marian property. Picture: QPS

Those charges include producing and trafficking dangerous drugs.

“It is a really good example of the proactive police work the police in the Pioneer Valley do in tackling drugs out there,” Sergeant Heller said.

“They won’t stop tackling the drugs issue.”

A major marijuana production and trafficking network in the Pioneer Valley has been smashed and more than $700,000 worth of drugs seized from a Marian property. Picture: QPS

The raids are expected to deliver a serious dent in the marijuana supply network operating in the region.

“This is one of the biggest cannabis seizures we have had in Mackay in the past few years,” Sergeant Heller said.

“It did include a purpose-built house that had been converted to the specific use for production.”

Two men, aged 55 and 59, are expected to appear in Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday.

Sergeant Heller said police would allege one bedroom at the home was set up for drying marijuana, another for trimming, cutting and packaging, and a third for storing the packages.

Investigations into the network are continuing.