Operation Crawl: Five tonnes of cannabis plants seized in massive drug bust

Police have arrested a dozen people in Melbourne’s north over an alleged drug cultivation operation operating out of factories.

The total quaintity of alleged cannabis plants seized was more than five tonnes. Photo: iStock

An alleged organised crime syndicate responsible for cultivating large-scale cannabis crops inside factories across Melbourne has been targeted by police as part of Operation Crawl.

Detectives in Melbourne‘s north arrested 12 people and seized 7000 cannabis plants weighing more than five tonnes as part of a 10-month investigation.

The plants were allegedly being cultivated across 11 factory-style set ups located across the state, including in Campbellfield, Braeside, Kilsyth, Carrum Downs, Seaford, Ravenhall, Truganina and Derrimut.

The street value of the drugs was estimated to be worth up to $12 million.

Hume detective Sergeant Joseph Hartwig said: “This is a significant operation resulting from a dedicated investigation by Hume’s Crime Investigation Unit which has seen thousands of illicit drugs seized.”

Police also believe the factories were set up to steal electricity from the grid.

The arrested includes a 31-year-old Sunshine North man and a 24-year-old St Albans man who are expected to be charged with commercial scale cultivation of a narcotic plant.

The arrests follow recent search warrants executed on Telley St in Ravenhall on 9 August and Derrimut Ct in Derrimut on 10 August.

“We make no apologies for having zero tolerance for drug manufacturers, and will continue to focus on disrupting the supply of drugs in the community.” Detective Sgt Hartwig said.

Anyone with information about drug manufacturing is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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