Alleged ‘crop-sitter’ pleads guilty to cultivating cannabis in Mount Warrigal hydro house

Quang Trung Bui was charged with taking part in the cultivation of a commercial quantity of cannabis, after police dismantled a “well-established” hydroponic set-up in a Mount Warrigal home.

Quang Trung Bui leaves Wollongong Local Court on June 5 after pleading guilty to taking part in the cultivation of a commercial quantity of cannabis.

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An alleged ‘crop-sitter’ is set to face Wollongong District Court for sentencing, after pleading guilty to taking part in the cultivation of a commercial quantity of cannabis at an Illawarra hydro-house.

Quang Trung Bui, 26, was charged with taking part in the cultivation of the drug in August last year, after police located and dismantled a “well-established” hydroponic set-up in a Mount Warrigal home.

In an appearance at Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, Bui entered a plea of guilty to the charge, and was committed for sentence at Wollongong District Court.

Police allege Bui was involved in the cultivation of cannabis plants, which were being grown in a home on Lawrence Avenue, Mount Warrigal.

On the morning of August 15, police executed a search warrant at the home, gaining entry through an unlocked garage door.

Upon entry, police discovered an advanced hydroponic set-up, where 158 cannabis plants were being grown in five different rooms.

According to police facts, plastic sheeting covered the floors while a “large number” of lights were fitted to the ceiling and floors of each growing room. An irrigation network had also been established to water the cannabis plants.

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Those responsible for the set-up went to great lengths to avoid detection, with police saying frames had been built around the windows and lined with gyprock, with lights installed to give the illusion that lights were on inside the home.

An Endeavour Energy employee attended the premises during this time, and confirmed with police that electricity was being bypassed and had been disconnected from the inside of the home.

Late that evening, police were conducting surveillance outside the Lawrence Avenue home in an unmarked police vehicle, when they saw Bui approach.

Police say he stood in the front yard for “at least two minutes”, before attempting to leave.

Police left their vehicle and began approaching Bui, calling out “hey. Police”. Bui began running and allegedly threw his phone into a fence on the corner of Hayes Avenue and Madigan Boulevarde as he did so.

Police quickly caught up to Bui were he was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station.

Bui refused to be interviewed by police at the time, however on February 4 he agreed to speak.

Bui told police he had been hired to go to the premises and look after the plants for a “small fee”, but said he had not been paid.

At the time of his arrest, Bui acknowledged more than 50 plants were being cultivated, however said he did not know the exact number.

While Bui has been charged in relation to the cultivation, there is no evidence that he was involved in the set-up of the hydro house, or was the principal grower.

The case will return to court later this month.