Quang Ba Le, 28, sentenced for role in $7m Lockyer Valley marijuana crop

One of five people accused of involvement in a mega Lockyer Valley hydroponic cannabis bust has been sentenced for his role as a crop sitter.

A Melbourne man who was charged as part of a mega drug bust in the Lockyer Valley last year has bene sentenced for his role as a crop sitter.

Quang Ba Le, 28, was one of five co-accused allegedly discovered by police at a Brightview property on May 17 last year.

He was charged with producing a dangerous drug in excess of 500g and possessing a dangerous drug in excess of 500g.

He pleaded guilty to both charges before the Ipswich District Court today (Friday, May 12).

At the time of the bust, police said they searched the property and found four greenhouses containing 4581 cannabis plants, hydroponic growing chemicals, irrigation equipment and 28kg of dried cannabis in a shed.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren said the estimated street value of the crop was $7 million.

The court heard Le clearly lived at the property, which was later discovered to have been leased under a fake name.

Along with his alleged co-offenders, he was responsible for tending to the crops, the court heard.

But the court also was told Le received no financial benefit from the sale of the crop.

Judge Horneman-Wren said he recognised that Le’s inability to understand English would make prison more difficult than it would be for most.

However, he sentenced Le to two years’ jail, suspended after seven months.

He declared Le’s presentence custody of 90 days as time served.

Le, a Vietnamese citizen, could now face deportation.

Originally published as Quang Ba Le, 28, sentenced for role in $7m Lockyer Valley marijuana crop