Coffs Harbour police raid nets $5.5 million cannabis haul

Police have seized 1845 cannabis plants worth an estimated $5.5 million after uncovering an alleged large-scale growing operation on a remote property on the mid north coast.

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Two men have been charged after police seized more than $5.5 million worth of cannabis at a remote property near Coffs Harbour on the NSW Mid North Coast.

On Wednesday, detectives searched a property on Williams Rd, Bonville around 8.20am which they allege was being used for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.

Investigators seized 1845 cannabis plants, with an estimated potential street value of $5.5 million.

Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have seized more than $5.5 million worth of cannabis from a property on the state’s Mid North Coast. Picture: NSW Police

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Two men, aged 22 and 29, were arrested and charged with cultivating large commercial qualities of a drug and participating in a criminal group.

They were both refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court today.

Investigators are now working with the Department of Home Affairs regarding their visas.

Two men – aged 22 and 29 – were arrested at the property and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station. Picture: NSW Police

The two men were arrested at a remote property near Coffs Harbour that police allege was being used for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis. Picture: NSW Police

Part of ongoing investigations into cannabis cultivation and supply across NSW, the arrests follow a major drug seizure in Taree last week.

Drug and Firearm Squad officers allegedly seized 13,353 marijuana plants at three properties in the Taree area – worth an estimated $40 million on the street — and the largest in a single police operation in Australia. More $60 million in cannabis has been seized since November.

Police will allege the 14 Vietnamese nationals arrested when the properties in Minimbah, Melinga and Moorland last week included men on student and bridging visas.

They have accused Vietnamese organised crime groups of targeting drought and fire-ravaged farmers, buying up land and importing illegal workers to run the crops

The crime scene at the property on Williams Rd at Bonville, where more than 1845 cannabis plants were seized. Picture: NSW Police

Police believe some of the men arrested had been identified for their skills and brought to Australia specifically to grow the sophisticated cannabis crops.

Sources close to the investigation said the land, in many cases, had been bought from farmers who were in distress following years of economic pressure caused by drought and bushfire and were offered a way out by the well-funded criminal groups.