More than $7 million worth of cannabis was seized and five men were arrested on an acreage property near Campbelltown this morning.
Acting on information, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearm Squad, under Strike Force Hyperion, commenced an investigation into outdoor cannabis cultivation in Sydney’s south-west.
Their inquiries uncovered a semi-rural property near Campbelltown being used for outdoor cannabis cultivation.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, with assistance from Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad (RES), Campbelltown City Police Area Command and the Dog Unit, executed a crime scene warrant at a property at Eagleview Road, Minto at 8am this morning.
Officers located and seized 2,379 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of more than $7.1 million.
During a search of a home and granny flat on the property, officers also seized electronic devices and cash.
Five men aged 49, 35, 33 and two aged 29 were arrested during the operation and taken to Campbelltown Police Station.
All five men were charged with cultivating a prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and participate in criminal group to contribute to criminal activity.
The men were refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 4 February 2021).
Investigators are working with the Department of Home Affairs regarding the visa status of the group.
Investigations under Strike Force Hyperion are continuing.
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In a separate incident, police say a P2 licence holder has had his driver’s licence suspended for mid-range PCA and speeding.
About 11.40pm last night officers from Campbelltown Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting speed enforcement duties on the Hume Highway, Narellan, when they detected a Mitsubishi Triton utility allegedly travelling at 159km/h in a marked 110km/h zone.
Police stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, a 20-year-old man, who was a P2 licence holder.
The driver was subjected to a roadside breath test which returned a positive reading.
The man was arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis that returned an alleged reading of 0.108 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath.
The Tallong man was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for driving with mid-range PCA and is due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on March 23.
He was also issued with infringement notices for exceeding the speed limit by over 45km/h and not display P plates.
His licence has been suspended.
