Peats Ridge: Sin Yew Lee, Chaoqian Wang and Wei Siang Chua charged over alleged $8 million cannabis bust

Three foreign nationals have been charged with allegedly cultivating $8 million worth of cannabis — including 50kg of bud — discovered in a large-scale hydroponic set up at Peats Ridge.

Three men have faced court after being charged with allegedly cultivating and supplying a large amount of cannabis.

Earlier this month, detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad Anti Money Laundering Unit began an investigation into alleged large scale cannabis cultivation at a rural property at Peats Ridge under Strike Force Mactier.

Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with the assistance of the Drug and Firearms Squad Cannabis Eradication Team, Public Order and Riot Squad and the Dog Unit, conducted a search at a Peats Ridge property about 7.30am on Friday, August 26.

Four greenhouses were located, each allegedly containing cannabis plants of varying maturity. During a further search of the property, officers allegedly located 50kg of cannabis head and a total of 2137 plants.

The plants were destroyed with the assistance of the Rural Fire Service NSW.

The estimated potential street value of the cannabis was approximately more than $8 million.

Two men — aged 23 and 35 — were arrested inside one of the greenhouses, while a third man — aged 41 — was arrested during a vehicle stop a short time later.

Among the plants was also 50kg of dried cannabis bud, which was seized by police. Picture: NSW Police

All three were taken to Gosford Police Station and charged with cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis and supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

All three appeared at Newcastle Local Court on Saturday, where they were formally refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Monday.

The 35-year-old, Wei Siang Chua, of Peats Ridge, did not apply for bail on Monday and it was formally refused while the other two, Chaoqian Wang, 23, of Peats Ridge, and Sin Yew Lee, 41, of Silverwater, applied for their release.

The cannabis was being grown in four greenhouses on the property. Picture: NSW Police

Their Legal Aid solicitor, through a Mandarin interpreter, submitted they should be granted bail because their language barrier would make it overly onerous for them to obtain proper legal representation while in custody.

However Magistrate Michael Antrum refused them bail with all three due to reappear via video link on October 27.