Tyler Hernandez Brook moved into a drug house so he had a place to stay – but was swept up in Operation Ironside raids

Tyler Brook moved into a cannabis growhouse so he had a place to live but was left “holding the bag” when Ironside detectives came knocking – see inside the drug house.

A 32-year-old man who agreed to run a cannabis growhouse in exchange for a place to stay was left “holding the bag” when police attached to Operation Ironside burst through the door.

Tyler Hernandez Brook had only moved into the Hackham drug house a few months before the June 7 raids, but his personal belongings were strewn around the property.

Brook pleaded guilty to cultivating a commercial crop of cannabis as well as diverting electricity and possessing prescribed equipment.

A prosecution factual summary filed with the court said the Hackham property was identified as a suspected location for drug trafficking in messages exchanged on the encrypted AN0M smartphone app.

However, last week the District Court heard that Brook did not have an AN0M device and was the “patsy” for other criminals.

A prosecutor told the court the haul, which included 12 “bushy to very bushy” mature cannabis plants, was worth as much as $56,000 if sold at street level.

Electricity at the property had been diverted and extensive hydroponics were installed in several rooms of the home.

Inside the growhouse where Tyler Brook was living. Picture: SA District Court

Court-released photos taken inside the growhouse show seedlings being propagated. Picture: SA District Court

Brook’s lawyer told the court he would contest the worth of the drug crop because the photos did not give an accurate idea of the size of the plants.

“The crop is worth many thousands of dollars, I am putting you on notice that I can draw that inference,” Judge Ian Press replied to that submission.

Brook’s lawyer said his client had been offered an opportunity to move out of the family home and had taken it with little thought about the consequences.

Tyler Hernandez Brook outside the District Court. Picture: David Mariuz

Cannabis plants being grown hydroponically at the Hackham property. Picture: SA District Court

“The offer came from people he knew through friends and I simply note he is not prepared to provide names,” he said.

“So he was able to live in the house rent-free with the prospect of a slight financial reward when the cannabis sold.

“He was aware it was a criminal operation.”

Police ripped up the plants during the raid. Picture: SA District Court

Electricity was illegally diverted at the property. Picture: SA District Court

The court heard that when Brook moved into the house the hydroponic set-up was already installed but no plants were growing.

“He didn’t own the drugs, he didn’t own the equipment, he had no percentage stake in the operation, it was really a case of live in the house, top up the water and take care of the animals out the back,” Brook’s lawyer said.

“He wasn’t pretending or trying to pretend he wasn’t living there.

“He had no cause to go into the rooms where the cannabis was planted, that was simply not his role.”

Court released photos taken inside a grow house raided by police during Operation Ironside resolution day in June this year. Tyler Brook was arrested at the scene and charged with tending the drug crop. Picture: SA District Court

The court heard Brook had been a bit-part player in the Operation Ironside arrests.

“He was a patsy at the bottom of the ladder who was left holding the bag when the police entered the room,” the lawyer said.

“His was a small role – essential yet small.”

Judge Press adjourned the matter for sentence.

Originally published as Tyler Hernandez Brook moved into a drug house so he had a place to stay – but was swept up in Operation Ironside raids