Cops find secret cannabis houses in some of Sydney’s richest suburbs
Million-dollar homes in Sydney's leafy north shore are being used by major drug cartels to grow massive amounts of cannabis in quiet suburban neighbourhoods. SEE THE PICTURES
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Million-dollar homes in Sydney's leafy north shore are being used by major drug cartels to grow massive amounts of cannabis in quiet suburban neighbourhoods.
In the past few weeks police have raided four homes in three of Sydney's most affluent suburbs which had been converted into hydro-houses growing hundreds of kilograms of cannabis.
In most cases neighbours in the up-market suburbs of Warrawee, Turramurra and Chatswood were oblivious to the illegal activity going on under their noses.
“The homes are rented using false drivers licences then false walls built over windows so that hydroponic lights can be run 24/7,” Detective Chief Inspector Phil Roche, Commander of the Gordon Regional Enforcement Squad, said.
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“They also have light timers going on and off so from the outside it looks like people are living there.”
“They can produce new crops every two or three months and have plants at different stages of growth and move them between houses,” he said.
On Wednesday night police raided a home in Greville St, Chatswood in which seven rooms had been completely converted to grow cannabis.
Inside the house were 436 cannabis plants valued at about $1.5 million.
Hydroponic equipment and 40kg of cannabis leaf, valued at about $250,000, were also allegedly seized.
Police arrested a 26-year-old man allegedly trying to run from the home when officers arrived.
Police said there were 100 electrical transformer using 1000 watts of electricity at a time to run the operation, which was being stolen by rewiring the house and the outside electricity supply.
As police raided the house in Greville St another team were around the corner in Fullers Rd, where they found six rooms had been converted for growing pot.
That house allegedly contained 159 plants worth about $630,000.
Officers arrested a 23-year-old hiding in the roof.
Police said the electricity had also been illegally diverted from the street to this home to run hydroponic equipment.
Wednesday night raids comes two weeks after homes in Warrawee and Turramurra were found to be fronts for sophisticated cannabis growing operations.
In Mitchell Cres, Warrawee they allegedly found nearly $500,000 worth of plants, while at Kate St, Turramurra they seized an indoor plantation worth about $700,000.
“We don't think the two are connected at this stage,” Mr Roche said.
Vietnamese crime gangs are experts at setting up hyrdo houses and are behind the supply of much of Sydney's cannabis, which is then passed on to local suppliers.
Police believe it is not one major crime group behind the indoor cannabis crops but scores of independent groups — all linked to organised crime in some way.
The phenomenon of sophisticated hydro-houses started in southwest Sydney nearly 10 years ago but has spread all over the metropolitan area as well as up to the central coast and Newcastle.
Police said some gangs also booby trap the residences to prevent other crime groups stealing their product.
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