Brookvale, Powells Rd: Man charged after more than 220 dope plants found after industrial unit fire

A fire in an industrial unit on Sydney’s northern beaches led to the discovery of more than 220 cannabis plants and a man charged with a string of drug offences.

More than 220 cannabis plants were discovered after a fire in an industrial unit in Powells Rd Brookvale on Tuesday. Picture: Northern Beaches Advocate

More than 220 hand grown cannabis plants were discovered after a fire in an industrial unit at Brookvale.

Police found the indoor hydroponic set-up after the rear of premises in Powells Rd caught alight at 5.45pm on Tuesday.

A man who was at the premises, and suffered smoke inhalation from the thick smoke coming from the unit at the rear of the building, was arrested.

Adam Kristian Cook, 50, was seen outside the units trying to move cars when emergency services arrived, Manly Local Court was told on Wednesday.

Cook, unemployed of Brookvale, has been charged with a string of offences including cultivating a prohibited plant – not less than a commercial quantity.

Northern Beaches Police were at the industrial premises again on Wednesday morning. Picture: Northern Beaches Advocate

He was also charged with one count each of owner/occupier allow use as drug premises and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug – cannabis and methylampethamine.

During a bail application hearing, the court heard that 224 plants were discovered on the premises, in the heart of the Brookvale industrial area.

Police will allege the plants were being grown in an “enhanced indoor system” at the Powells Rd unit. File picture: (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

The growing technique was described as a hydroponic “enhanced indoor system”.

Magistrate Daniel Reiss said the fire, according to a police facts sheet tendered to court, started among the cannabis plants.

Mr Reiss said that the location “appears to have a strong connection” to Cook.

“He’s clearly got a close association with this set-up,” he said.

Mr Reiss, in denying bail, said despite having a limited police record, Cook had “allegedly jumped into the deep end with this serious matter”.

The location of the 224 cannabis plants discovered after a fire in an industrial unit in Powells Rd Brookvale on Tuesday. Google Maps

Police will allege that as well as growing 224 plants, Cook was also in possession of $5390, the alleged proceeds of crime.

Cook’s Legal Aid solicitor, in seeking bail, told the court that Cook should be released from custody because he may spend a lengthy period of time on remand, if he chooses to defend the allegations.

“This a nonviolent crime, albeit serious,” the solicitor said.

“There is no evidence that Mr Cook is the owner/occupier of that address … or evidence he is involved in the alleged cultivation.”

Cook was remanded in custody and will appear again at the Downing Centre Local Court on September 23.