Police have destroyed a cannabis crop worth more than $6million following a raid on a property 80km north of Cobar last week.
Central North Police District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Paul Quigg said the seizure of the well established crop was the state’s largest cannabis bust by the NSW Police Force since 2017.
Detective Inspector Quigg said detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearm Squad commenced their investigation into the large scale outdoor cannabis cultivation after acting upon information supplied to police.
Detectives from Strike Force Hyperion were assisted with the raid last week by Central North Police District personnel to execute a crime scene warrant at the 20,000-acre
property on the Wilgaroon Road north of Cobar.
Officers located and seized more than 3,000 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of more than $6million.
Detective Inspector Quigg said the crop was a dedicated plantation used solely for the purpose of large commercial cannabis cultivation and supply.
He said it was hidden among native bushland and was well established having been well watered via a poly drip irrigation system fed by water in man-made dams on the property.
During the raid Police also seized a loaded double barrel shotgun and cannabis from a home on the property.
A 34-year-old Griffith man was arrested and taken to Cobar Police Station where he was charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), possess unregistered firearm, possess unauthorised firearm and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
Police believe the man was involved in the large-scale cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.
The man was refused bail and appeared at Bourke Local Court last Wednesday.
Detective Inspector Quigg said their investigations are continuing and he expects more arrests will follow.
He said since commencing in the Central North Police District Crime Manager’s role seven months ago, he and his team have actively been targeting drug offenders and criminal networks of this nature.
Detective Inspector Quigg said a piece of information from the community can be
the vital link that leads to an arrest, so if
anyone sees something suspicious, he urges them to contact the local police or Crime Stoppers.
