Two people will face court today after a hydroponic setup and cannabis plants were located at homes across the Hunter Valley.
About 9am yesterday (Thursday 2 January 2020), emergency services were called to a home on First Street, Weston, following reports the building was well alight.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews extinguished the blaze a short time later.
Upon inspection of the home, crews located a hydroponic setup within the property and contacted police.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended, established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
Following further inquiries, police attended a home on William Street, Abermain, and located a 52-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, who were both identified as being unlawful citizens.
They were arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station.
Police then executed three search warrants at homes on First Street, Weston, and William Street, Abermain, late yesterday (Thursday 2 January 2020), and at Mount View Road, Cessnock, about 11am today (Friday 3 January 2020).
During these searches, police located and seized more than 500 cannabis plants, several kilograms of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.
The 52-year-old man has been charged with cultivate prohibited plant larger than commercial quantity, possess prohibited plant greater than indictable quantity, and deal with the proceeds of crime.
The 54-year-old woman has been charged with cultivate prohibited plant larger than commercial quantity, and possess prohibited plant,
They were refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 3 January 2020).
Investigations are continuing.
