Four men have been charged after police disrupted a large-scale hydroponic cannabis set-up with a street value close to $600,000 operating within the Chifley Police District.
About 5.45pm on Monday (14 October 2019), officers attached to Traffic & Highway Patrol stopped a white Lexus being driven by a 38-year-old Regents Park man on the Great Western Highway near Bowenfels for the purpose of a random breath test.
The vehicle was searched and property suspected of being connected with enhanced indoor cannabis cultivation was seized.
The man was released and an investigation commenced in respect to the seized property.
Following inquiries, police attended a house on Oakey Forest Road at Marrangaroo where it is alleged they located an elaborate hydroponic cannabis set-up. Police seized 113 cannabis plants.
A 66-year-old Vietnamese man, who is in Australia unlawfully, was arrested and charged with cultivating cannabis.
He was bail refused to appear before Lithgow Local Court today (Wednesday 16 October 2019).
A short time later, officers executed a crime scene warrant at a home on Stonestreet Place at Windradyne where a stockpile of equipment used in the indoor cultivation of cannabis was located.
A 41-year-old Vietnamese man, who is in Australia unlawfully, was arrested and taken to Lithgow Police Station.
About 8am yesterday (Tuesday 15 October 2019), police disrupted several vehicles as they arrived at the Ryall Place residence at Canowindra, during which three men allegedly fled on foot.
The three men of Vietnamese nationality, two aged 21 and the third 23, were arrested with the assistance of the Dog Squad and Chifley Rescue Unit.
They were charged with cultivating cannabis and released on conditional bail to appear before Cowra Local Court on Wednesday 6 November 2019.
Police located and seized 130 plants of varying maturity from the Canowindra address.
Investigations continue.
