Drug strike force raids 23 drug houses in one week, wipes out $7 million of cannabis

OFFICERS in Strike Force Zambesi have seized more than 58,000 plants, arrested more than 200 people and laid more than 500 charges; wiping out $162 million worth of cannabis since 2011, according to police.

NSW Police’s South West Metro Region Enforcement Squad uncovered cannabis worth more than $1.8 million at Lansvale in July 2014.

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THROUGH constant vigilance and community awareness, Strike Force Zambesi has wiped out $162 million worth of cannabis from the market since 2011.

The ongoing investigation conducted by the Region Enforcement Squad Wetherill Park targets “hydro houses” where commercial quantities of cannabis are grown illegally using high-powered light bulbs.

Detective Chief Inspector and Squad Commander Gus Viera said 23 houses were raided last week alone.

“We’re not targeting mums and dads growing a couple of plants in the backyard,” Chief Inspector Viera said.

“We’re talking about hundreds of plants being grown and sold for profit.”

The Strike Force has seized more than 58,000 plants, arrested more than 200 people and laid more than 500 charges.

Police found two rooms inside the Fairfield West property being used to hydroponically grow cannabis and seized 58 cannabis plants.

Almost every hydro house shut down by Zambesi was in Fairfield, Liverpool or Canterbury Bankstown.

“These are the areas with the highest numbers of hydro houses,” Chief Insp Viera said.

“Demographics could be part of the reason — but it could also be landlords who are prepared to rent houses for a few more bucks and turn a blind eye.”

Some say busting cannabis growers is a waste of police resources, but Chief Inspector Viera said the trade needed to be stamped out.

“There is a strong link to medical issues; experts say it is associated with illnesses like schizophrenia,” he said.

“There’s also very strong links to organised crime, and high risk of starting house fires due to the electricity required to cultivate the plants.”

A woman was charged after this raid in Fairfield West last week.

The strike force has been operating for five years, and yet this week alone police busted more than a dozen new hydro houses.

“We’re getting better at finding them,” Chief Inspector Viera said. “The community is also more aware of when something doesn’t look right.”

Chief Inspector Viera had a strong message for those in the business of cultivating cannabis: “Regardless of how long it takes, we will catch up with you.”

He also thanked the community for their ongoing involvement in the fight against commercial drug cultivation.

“We want to tell them to keep up the great work,” Chief Inspector Viera said.

The woman was charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of a prohibited plant as well as other charges.

RAIDS STAMP OUT MORE THAN $7 MILLION OF CANNABIS PLANTS

More than $7 million of cannabis plants were seized from southwestern Sydney hydro houses last week.

Strike Force Zambesi raided 23 houses in one week, destroying 2490 plants in total.

A 43-year-old woman is before the courts after officers located and seized 58 cannabis plants from a Fairfield West house on June 6.

Four children were inside the house during the search.

A 45-year-old man was also arrested in connection with the warrant on June 8.

Other warrants were executed on June 8 in Carramar and Liverpool.

Officers seized 258 plants at a Carramar property worth $747,000 and arrested a man at the scene, who was later released pending further inquiries.

A 50-year-old man was arrested at a house in Elizabeth Drive, Liverpool, after 109 plants worth $314,000 were seized.

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South West Metropolitan Region Commander Frank Mennilli said cannabis cultivators should expect to get caught.

“In a week, we have destroyed more than $7 million of cannabis ...,” he said.

“My officers will ensure anyone involved in criminal activity in Sydney’s southwest will feel the full extent of the law.”

Call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.