Five people have been charged with drug offences, after detectives seized cannabis plantations worth an estimated street value of $1.7 million from two rural properties in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane yesterday.
Detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Command’s Drug and Serious Crime Group, with assistance from the Ipswich Tactical Crime Squad and Laidley police executed a search warrant at a Redwood Drive, Brightview rural property yesterday morning.
The property consisted of four greenhouses containing 4,581 cannabis plants of varying sizes, along with hydroponic growing chemicals, irrigation and machinery, which police will allege was used for the large scale production of cannabis.
Police also seized 28 kilograms of dried cannabis located in a shed on the property.
Five men – two 27-year-olds, a 46 year-old, a 36-year-old and a 21-year-old were charged with producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime. All are due to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court today (May 18).
As part of the investigation, detectives executed a second search warrant on a Boyces Road Mount Tarampa property yesterday afternoon, where a greenhouse with a sophisticated hydroponics system and a further 144 cannabis plants were seized.
State Drug Squad Detective Acting Inspector Stephen Thiry said police allege both properties were being used by a criminal syndicate for the large scale production of cannabis.
“This was a substantial cannabis production and we will continue targeting and dismantling such productions and the illicit proceeds of criminal syndicates given the risk they pose to the community,” Detective Acting Inspector Thiry said.
“Investigations remain ongoing and we encourage the community to report suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers,” Detective Acting Inspector Thiry said.
