Police seize 1200 cannabis plants, worth $3.7m from Artarmon factories
Five men have appeared in court following raids on three factories in the Artarmon area, where police allegedly found large sophisticated hydroponic cannabis growing set ups.
Hornsby
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More than 1200 cannabis plants with a street value of $3.7 million have allegedly been seized from properties on Sydney’s north shore.
Five men charged with a string of offences appeared in Hornsby and Manly Local Courts on Wednesday following raids on three factories around Artarmon.
The raids early at 7.30am on Tuesday, followed the formation of Strike Force Echunga, a combination of officers from the Northern Beaches and North Shore Police Area Commands, which launched an investigation into the cultivation and supply of cannabis.
The strike force’s extensive inquiries led detectives to factories in Artarmon at Hotham Pde, McLachlan Ave and George Pl.
During the searches, investigators seized 1206 cannabis plants worth $3.7 million and about 58kg of dried cannabis leaf, with an estimated potential street value of $382,000.
They also seized $46,000 in cash.
Large sophisticated hydroponic tent setups were allegedly located and dismantled in each factory.
Five men were arrested across the locations; three – aged 45, 62 and 55 – were taken to Chatswood Police Station and two – aged 25 and 60 – were taken to Manly Police Station.
The 45-year-old, Kenneth John McCudden of Dural, was charged with three counts of cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), participate criminal group, three counts of found on/entering/leaving drug premises, two counts of supply cannabis and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
The 55-year-old, Frederick Edwin Eyles of Rozelle, was charged with two counts of cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), participate criminal group, two counts of found on/entering/leaving drug premises and supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity).
The 62-year-old, Seamus Patrick Doolan of Lane Cove, was charged with three counts of cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), participate criminal group, supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), three counts of found on/entering/leaving drug premises, supply cannabis and two counts of owner/occupier knowingly allow use as drug premises.
Court documents state Mr McCudden, Mr Doolan and Mr Eyles allegedly cultivated 453 cannabis plants at Hotham Pde, 240 cannabis plants at McLachlan Ave and supplied 36kg of cannabis.
Mr McCudden and Mr Doolan are also accused of cultivating 498 cannabis plants at George St and supplying a further 22kg of cannabis. Neither of the three men applied for bail at their appearances in Hornsby Court.
They are due to reappear in court on February 19 next year.
Guo Quing Ma, 60, of Artarmon and Yongjun Zheng, 25, of Lane Cove, appeared in Manly Local Court each charged with one count of cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), one count of found on/entering/leaving drug premises and one count of participate in criminal group.
Mr Zheng is accused of being involved in growing 498 plants while Mr Ma is alleged to have helped ciltivate 240 plants.
Mr Ma applied for bail. His Legal Aid solicitor said Mr Ma suffered from liver disease and needed daily medication and was due to have liver surgery soon.
Magistrate Mark Richardson refused bail.
Mr Zheng did not apply for bail and both men will appear in Hornby Local Court on March 4.