Mackay police and ABF raids find hydroponic set-up in Walkerston

The joint operation targeted seven properties over three days, with officers uncovering a surprising quantity of illicit substances.

A joint police and Australian Border Force operation has allegedly uncovered a hydroponic marijuana set-up at Walkerston.

A sophisticated hydroponic marijuana set-up has been dismantled in raids across the Mackay and Whitsunday region.

Mackay Tactical Crime Squad and Proserpine police, in a joint operation involving the Australian Border Force, swept through seven properties over three days, seizing illicit substances and drug utensils.

Mackay TCS Senior Sergeant Scott Ingram said the warrants were executed on June 24, 29 and 30, targeting properties in Mackay, the Northern Beaches, Walkerston and Proserpine.

It will be alleged a sophisticated hydroponic set-up was found inside a Walkerston home, with eight marijuana plants “of a reasonable size” inside.

More than 2g of methamphetamine was also found at one of the seven properties, with one person charged with drug possession above the schedule.

Sergeant Ingram said the raids were a result of information from policing operations and top-offs to Crime Stoppers.

“It’s alarming we still have these issues but it’s an ongoing issue for the community,” he said.

He said working with the Australian Border Force was an example of joint operations that secured positive results for the community.

Eight people were charged with a combined 24 charges including possessing and producing dangerous drugs.

They are scheduled to appear in court in the coming weeks.

Originally published as Mackay police and ABF raids find hydroponic set-up in Walkerston