Police seize $3 million worth of cannabis plants near Coffs Harbour

Police have uncovered an industrial-scale hydroponic cannabis set-up near Coffs Harbour, seizing plants worth $3 million.

NSW Police have seized more than $3 million worth of cannabis plants from a large industrial grow house near Coffs Harbour.

A 26-year-old man and 31-year-old man have been arrested and charged after police raided the rural property at Korora yesterday morning.

The older man was already wanted by police over hydroponic set-ups discovered in Sydney last year.

Detectives from Strike Force Hyperion, which was established by the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad to investigate the cultivation of cannabis across NSW, arrested the men with assistance from Coffs/Clarence Police District, the Rural Crime Prevention Team and Coffs Harbour Region Enforcement Squad following “extensive inquiries”.

A crime scene warrant was executed shortly after. Police seized about 1030 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of more than $3 million, and about 50kg of cannabis head with an estimated street value of $330,000.

Police dismantled the large set-up, seizing hydroponic, electrical and lighting equipment, as well as chemicals.

The two men were taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and cultivating a large commercial quantity of a prohibited plant.

The 31-year-old man was also charged with an outstanding warrant for cultivating a commercial quantity of a prohibited plant, relating to hydroponic set-ups located at a Burwood home in March 2018 and a Toongabbie home in November 2018.

They were both refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court today.

Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Cook, said criminals using regional NSW to grow crops will not go unnoticed.

“We found a sophisticated industrial greenhouse set-up at this remote property which was being used to make a profit from a large commercial cannabis crop,” he said in a statement. “We know from experience that criminal syndicates will often reinvest profits made from the cultivation and supply of cannabis into other illicit enterprises.”

A 26-year-old man and a 31-year-old man were arrested and charged.

Police estimate the drugs were worth more than $3 million.

About 1030 cannabis plants and around 50kg of cannabis head were seized.

Police said it was a ‘sophisticated industrial greenhouse set-up’.