Van Tai Nguyen makes bail bid after $500,000 worth of cannabis plants found inside Bexley home

Two men have been charged after they were allegedly involved in growing more than 160 cannabis plants worth nearly $500,000 from a Sydney home.

Two men were arrested after they allegedly grew 164 cannabis plants inside a Bexley home. Generic picture

Two men have been charged after they were allegedly involved in growing more than 160 cannabis plants worth nearly $500,000 from a Bexley home.

Van Tai Nguyen, 31, was granted bail in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday while Manh Hung Nguyen is expected to apply for release on Friday.

They were both charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis plants while Manh Hung Nguyen, 47, who lives in Beverly Hills, was also charged with dealing with $2315 in cash, suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

Police allege the men were involved in growing 164 plants which had a value of $493,000, discovered after a search warrant of the Bexley house was executed about 10.30pm on Wednesday.

The court heard Van Tai Nguyen, who lives in Condell Park, allegedly tried to “abscond” but he was arrested.

Van Tai Nguyen was granted bail in Sutherland Local Court

Police prosecutor Sergeant Joshua Sanders submitted the case against Nguyen was strong given there was a “thorough investigation” from the region enforcement squad.

He said there was surveillance conducted over an extended period of time before a crime scene warrant was executed.

The court heard Nguyen worked as a casual handyman five days a week after his hours at a factory were reduced.

Nguyen’s lawyer said his client had no criminal record and strong community ties with a wife and children.

The lawyer accepted Nguyen allegedly attempt to flee when police tried to arrest him which he said could imply Nguyen had knowledge of what was inside the house or was evidence of a “consciousness of guilty mind”.

He submitted his client’s co-accused Manh Hung Nguyen was allegedly captured through police surveillance more frequently, with Nguyen only being seen one time prior to his arrest, the court heard.

The lawyer said Nguyen was seen at the house but there was no evidence of what he was doing in there.

He submitted in order to convict Nguyen of cultivating cannabis plants, police would need to prove he watered the plants, treated the leaves, put seeds in soil or other actions and “there was no such evidence”.

The lawyer said his client, if bail refused, could spend a longer time on remand than he might serve in jail should he be convicted, and he could receive an alternative sentence than full-time imprisonment.

Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim said Nguyen’s role, based on the police statement of facts, was not “senior and he had a limited role”.

“The defendant’s role is not trivial but he was not the [alleged] mastermind,” he said.

Mr Abdul-Karim agreed to grant Nguyen bail on the condition he live at his home and he can only leave in the company of his wife or to attend work, court, report or for medical emergencies.

Nguyen must report to police daily, not associate with his co-accused, a $20,000 surety must be forfeited, he can only use one mobile phone, he must surrender his passport and not to enter an international point of departure.

Nguyen’s case was adjourned to Downing Centre Local Court on November 9.