Five people have been charged after $55 million worth of cannabis was seized from a property in The Hume region yesterday.
In May 2020, officers from The Hume Police District established Strike Force Croze to investigate the large-scale cultivation of cannabis throughout the local area.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a rural property at Lumley Road, Lake Bathurst, from 9am yesterday (Tuesday 8 February 2022).
Local detectives were assisted throughout the operation by PolAir, the Rural Crime Prevention Team, the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad and specialist forensic police.
A large-scale cannabis cultivation set-up was allegedly located, with poly tunnels and hydroponic equipment.
During the search of the property, police seized over 20,900 cannabis plants, with an estimated potential street value of $55m.
Five people – four men aged 27, 50, 52 and 54 and a 59-year-old woman – were arrested and taken to Goulburn Police Station.
They were charged with one count each of cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity – cannabis – serious indictable offence). All were refused bail to appear in Goulburn Local Court today (Wednesday 9 February 2022).
Investigators are working with the Department of Home Affairs regarding the visa status of the group.
All the plants were certified by an agronomist and have since been destroyed.
Investigations under Strike Force Croze are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist strike force investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
