State Crime Command’s Drug and Serious Crime Group with assistance of police from the Southern Region completed a significant drug enforcement operation yesterday, resulting in the seizure of 11, 795 cannabis plants, Queensland Police say.
Operation Papa Cider commenced in July this year with ongoing investigations focusing on cannabis production and trafficking in South East Queensland, particularly South Brisbane and Brisbane Valley.
Search warrants were executed at three properties in Coominya, Mount Hallen and Churchable yesterday with police discovering separate sophisticated hydroponic grow houses and a total of 11, 795 cannabis plants.
The plants located ranged in size from small seedlings through to mature plants, one and a half metres in height.
A large seizure of product was also located in various stages of the drying procedure which was being prepared for distribution.
Two men, aged 24 and 26, were located during the raids at Coominya and have both been charged with producing dangerous drugs.
Both are expected to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on January 10.
Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker of the State Crime Command Drug and Serious Crime Group said the location and seizure of this cannabis is very significant and will have a major impact on the availability of in the Brisbane and South East Queensland drug markets.
"Prior to the execution of yesterday’s search warrants investigations throughout Operation Papa Cider had already netted the arrest of seven people on 10 charges and the seizure of approximately 87kg of cannabis," Detective Superintendent Wacker said.
"The estimated value of cannabis seized throughout this operation to date stands at approximately $60m."
Investigations are continuing.
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