Detectives have charged seven people and seized nearly $10 million worth of cannabis in the state’s Central West.
In December 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Emerstan to investigate the cultivation and supply of cannabis across the state’s Central West.
Their inquiries uncovered a rural property near Dubbo being used for the cultivation of cannabis.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, with assistance from Orana Mid-Western Police District, Western Region Enforcement Squad and the Dog Unit, executed a crime scene warrant at a property at Ballimore, about 40km east of Dubbo, from 11am yesterday (Monday 27 April 2020).
Officers located and seized more than 2440 cannabis plants and 350kg of dried cannabis, with an estimated potential street value of more than $9.6 million.
Five men – aged 26, 40, 42, 45 and 52 – and two women – aged 34 and 59 – were arrested at the property and taken to Dubbo Police Station.
All seven people were charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity cannabis), supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 26-year-old man was also charged with possess prohibited drug.
Police will allege in court that the group were involved in the large-scale cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.
All seven were refused bail and are due to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Tuesday 28 April 2020).
Investigations by the Drug and Firearms Squad are continuing, and further arrests are expected.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to the cultivation and supply of cannabis to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our social media pages.
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