Calderwood: Two men refused bail after $7m worth of cannabis allegedly seized

Two men — including an illegal immigrant — have been refused bail after police raided a “sophisticated” alleged cannabis operation, finding more than 3000 plants with an estimated street value of $7.6 million.

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Two men have been refused bail after police swooped on a “sophisticated” alleged cannabis operation south of Wollongong on Monday, allegedly finding more than 3000 plants with an estimated street value well over $7 million.

Earlier this month, detectives from Wollongong Police District began investigating the cultivation of cannabis in the Illawarra region, after several tip-offs from members of the public about “unusual activity” at a property in Calderwood.

Acting on information from the community, police raided the site at Calderwood Rd on Monday morning, where they allegedly found two men, 49-year-old illegal Malaysian immigrant Kim Seong Tang and 52-year-old Dennis Chu, as well as six greenhouses allegedly containing $7.6 million worth of cannabis crops.

Two men were arrested at the greenhouses south of Wollongong. Picture: NSW Police Force.

They were both charged with cultivate prohibited plant – large commercial quantity and deal with suspected proceeds of crime.

Before the pair faced court on Tuesday, Wollongong Police Acting Inspector Dave Williamson said the large quantity seized was one of the biggest ever in the Illawarra.

“There were several large greenhouses set up to promote the growth of cannabis and it was a well-thought out operation,” he said.

While Chu chose not to apply for bail and was formally refused release, Tang’s defence lawyer argued for his release from custody on Tuesday afternoon.

However, Magistrate Susan McGowan said the prosecution had a “very strong case”, with police allegedly finding him tending to the cannabis plants when they arrived at the property on Monday.

In documents tendered to the court, police allege when they arrived on the semi-rural property around 11.30am, they were greeted by Chu, who claimed to be the manager of the property.

When asked whether there was any cannabis on the property, police allege Chu denied there was, and granted police permission to access a shed located on the property.

Police allege in court documents that the shed resembled a “living quarters”, complete with fridges, cooking appliances, a television and three mattresses, as well as fertiliser and plant food.

Police estimate the seized cannabis is worth more than $7 million. Picture: NSW Police Force.

In the corner of the shed, police allege a makeshift “room” had been built with black plastic, which allegedly contained a kilogram of dried cannabis leaf and several drying racks.

Within five minutes of police arriving at the property, Chu was placed under arrest, before allegedly informing police there was another man at the property, and that he was working in one of the six 60m by 15m greenhouses.

In the documents, police claim when they went to inspect the greenhouses, one of the doors was slightly open, and cannabis plants up to two metres in height could be seen lined up inside.

Police entered the greenhouse and noticed a sophisticated irrigation system before allegedly finding Tang tending to the plants.

There were six greenhouses allegedly used to cultivate the cannabis. Picture: NSW Police Force.

He too was placed under arrest and taken to Wollongong Police Station.

Police spent the next several hours dismantling the greenhouses, allegedly 3852 plants located within four of the six structures.

In court on Tuesday, Tang’s defence lawyer Cate Doosey argued her client was “not a king pin” and was instead just a “crop sitter”.

“He’s not the person funding it,” she said. “He doesn’t have access to mantle such an enormous and sophisticated operation… he’s a work ant rather than a king pin”.

However, Magistrate McGowan said while he may not have been part of the hierarchy that sold the drugs, he was accused of growing the plants.

“It must be remembered the offence is cultivate, not supply,” she said. “The foundation is that he was growing the plants.”

Both men will remain in custody until they appear again next week. Meantime, police have confirmed investigations are still underway, and more arrests are likely.