Vu Tran, Son Dinh Tran face court after drug squad raid Belmont industrial shed
A pair accused of cultivating and trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis have fronted court, after specialist police have swooped on a Belmont industrial shed.
Geelong
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A pair accused of cultivating and trafficking a commercial quanity of cannabis have faced court, after specialist police swooped on a Belmont industrial shed in a major drug bust on Tuesday.
St Albans Park man Vu Tran, 32, and co-accused Son Dinh Tran, 45, appeared in the dock at Geelong Magistrates Court for a brief mention on Wednesday, each facing six charges including cultivating and trafficking a commercial quality of cannabis.
Both men are also charged with the lesser charges of cultivating and trafficking cannabis, as well as possessing the drug and stealing an unknown amount of electricty from Powercor. During the brief filing hearing, the men were assisted by a Vietnamese intepreter.
Magistrate Franz Holzer ordered the prosecution provide the pair’s lawyers with the handup brief by September 9, and noted some custodial management issues.
The court heard it was both men’s first time in custody and had limited English, and Son Dinh Tran had back issues for which he was medicated.
They will next appear in court on November.
Detectives and drug squad operatives allegedly seized a large commercial amount of cannabis growing in a leased property on Crows Rd.
Police allege sophisticated hydroponic grow house was found to be operating inside.
Police could be seen bagging up forensic evidence collected at the scene on Wednesday morning.
The shed was next to a smash repairer and across the road from the Beyond Bank Stadium.
Specialist detectives made the dramatic arrests as the two men stood outside the facility.
One elderly neighbour, who lived just a few doors down, said she was shocked to learn of the raid.
“You would have no idea that was happening on this street,” she said.
“I heard a few things going on yesterday.”
Police will allege large green shipping container, located outside the commercial site, may have been used to transport the drugs.
Two men will face the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
It comes a week after police raided a Drysdale home as part of an ongoing probe involving a specialist drug squad from Melbourne.
Officers in hazmat suits could be seen removing plasterboard from the Eastwood Crescent property on July 15.
The two investigations are unrelated.
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