Drug & Firearms Squad detectives have charged nineteen people and seized more than $80 million worth of cannabis following an investigation under Strike Force Heradale.
Strike Force Heradale was established in December 2023 by State Crime Command's Drug & Firearms Squad, with assistance from the NSW Crime Commission, to investigate the large commercial cultivation of cannabis by a transnational Organised Crime Network (OCN).
Following extensive inquiries, about 10.15am on Wednesday 3 April 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad and the Dog Unit – executed a search warrant at a property in Kemps Creek.
On arrival, officers identified the property was being used as a purpose-built cannabis farm following the discovery of 16 commercial sized greenhouses and infrastructure designed to grow cannabis and refine it for distribution.
The hydroponic cannabis plantation consisted of over 5,400 cannabis pants, with an estimated street value of $18 million.
Two men – aged 32 and 35 – and a 41-year-old woman, were arrested at the scene and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where all three were charged with knowingly take part-cultivate >=large commercial quantity cannabis and participate in a criminal group.
They were refused bail and appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday 4 April 2024.
Following further inquiries, about 2.30pm on Wednesday 29 May 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad and Lake Illawarra Police District – began phase two of their resolution with a search warrant at a property in Calderwood, Shellharbour.
During the warrant, police located and seized over 366kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of $4 million.
Detectives arrested six men and four women, aged between 28 and 64 years old, at the scene.
They were taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where they were all charged with take part supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and found on/entering/leaving drug premises.
All ten were refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court on Thursday 30 May 2024.
Following further investigations, about 7.30am on Friday 7 June 2024, detectives executed a search warrant on a property in Bringelly.
During the search, detectives located and seized over 6,500 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of $23 million.
About 8.30am on Wednesday 25 September 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from Public Order & Riot Squad – executed a search warrant at a property in Rossmore.
During the search, detectives located and seized over 4000 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of $12 million.
Three men were arrested in the greenhouses – aged 33, 40 and 30. They were taken back to Liverpool Police Station where they were all charged with offences relating to the cultivation of cannabis and participating in a criminal group.
The men were refused bail and appeared in Liverpool Local Court the next day (Thursday 26 September 2024).
About 8.30am on Thursday 10 October 2024, strike force detectives executed a second search warrant at the property in Bringelly where 7472 cannabis plants – with a street value of $22 million – were located and seized.
A 61-year-old man was arrested tending to the plants and taken to Narellan Police Station where he was charged with knowingly taken part-cultivate >= large commercial quantity.
He was refused bail and appeared before Picton Local Court the next day (Friday 11 October 2024)
About 6am on Tuesday 12 November 2024, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Canley Vale where they arrested two men, both aged 35.
During a search of the home, police located 220kgs of cannabis head with a street value of over $2 million and $240,000 in cash.
The men were taken to Fairfield Police Station, where they were charged with a number of offences relating to the supply and cultivation of large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and knowingly direct and participate in a criminal group.
Both men were refused bail and appeared before Fairfield Local Court the same day.
