Six men were arrested yesterday in connection with an alleged cannabis syndicate operating in the western and northern suburbs.
On 11 January 2022, Barossa Police located a sophisticated cannabis cultivation set up at a Hillier address. More than 250 cannabis plants and a large quantity of prescribed equipment were seized from the property for forensic examination.
Investigations identified a number of suspects and further addresses of interest, and ultimately unravelled an alleged cannabis syndicate.
On 1 April, Barossa CIB detectives assisted by Western District CIB detectives attended various properties, where searches, seizures and arrests were made.
A residential property at Dudley Park was searched and more than ten kilograms of dry cannabis bud was located and seized. One man found inside the dwelling was arrested for serious drug offences. A second man ran from police, but was arrested nearby for serious drug offences. Both men, aged 48 and 33, were also charged with offences relating to the Hillier seizure.
A house at Rosewater was searched with 89 cannabis plants found growing between three sheds on the property. The cannabis plants and a large quantity of prescribed equipment were seized, with two men, aged 40 and 23, located at the address arrested for serious drug offences.
When officers searched a Ridleyton house they allegedly disturbed two men partway into harvesting cannabis plants growing inside the house, with an estimated weight of 15 to 25 kilograms of semi-dry cannabis bud found. A further 142 cannabis plants were found growing inside the home and in a rear garage. A large quantity of prescribed equipment was also seized from this property. The two men, aged 51 and 36, were arrested for serious drug offences.
The arrested men are currently in Australia in bridging visas and have been refused bail. They will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday 4 April.
A residential property at Woodville Gardens was also searched, with a quantity of prescribed equipment located and seized. A 35-year-old man observed leaving the property was searched and reported for unlawful possession after $5540 cash was found on him, suspected as being the proceeds of crime.
Anyone with information about the growing, sale or supply of illicit drugs can report it anonymously to police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
