Duong Ba Le, Tien Van Hoang, Henry Pham, Nam Ha Pham, Huu Lam Luong charged with growing 8300 cannabis plants

A fifth person has been charged with being involved in growing more than $40 million of cannabis after a massive Northern Rivers bust. Here’s how police allege the group was caught.

Five men have been charged after 8300 cannabis plants were seized.

A fifth person has been charged following a $40 million cannabis bust in the Northern Rivers.

Five co-accused Vietnamese men have been accused of cultivating the huge amount of cannabis found near Casino in Northern NSW as part of a criminal group.

Police said “industrial grow houses” at a rural Northern Rivers property contained more than 8300 cannabis plants worth an estimated tens of millions of dollars.

Five men have been charged.

Strike force detectives raided a property in Ellangowan – about 20km southeast of Casino – about 6am on November 4, 2022 “following extensive inquiries”.

It was revealed at Lismore Local Court on Wednesday that police allegedly surveilled the accused drug farmers for six months before the raid.

Police have told the court they tapped the men's phones, intercepted communications and captured photo and video surveillance of the accused.

Police released this image of the crop.

Huu Lam Luong, 50, is the fifth man charged and is accused of knowingly taking part in cultivating more than a large commercial quantity of cannabis and participating in a criminal group to contribute to criminal activity.

Duong Ba Le, 33, is charged with cultivating more than a large commercial quantity of a prohibited plant and participating in a criminal group.

Tien Van Hoang, 43, is charged with cultivating more than a large commercial quantity of a prohibited plant, participating in a criminal group, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.

Another image supplied by NSW Police.

Henry Pham, 49, is charged with knowingly taking part in cultivating more than a large commercial quantity of a prohibited plant and participating in a criminal group.

Nam Ha Pham, 52, is charged with cultivating more than a large commercial quantity of a prohibited plant and participating in a criminal group.

No pleas have been entered by the accused at this stage.

All five will need a Vietnamese interpreter in court.

The case was adjourned to August 13.