Victoria Police has today extradited a male from Queensland in relation to a million-dollar crop house uncovered in Glen Iris last year.
On 13 July 2021, detectives from the Prahran Divisional Response Unit executed search warrants at neighbouring properties on Malvern Road, Glen Iris.
Upon entering, investigators located a complex hydroponic cannabis crop house and seized 250 mature cannabis plants weighing just under 265kg. A further 8.80kg of dried cannabis was also seized.
The estimated total street value of the seized cannabis was around $1 million.
No arrests were made at the time of the warrants.
On Tuesday 16 August, the accused 21-year-old Italian national was arrested by Australian Border Force trying to board a one-way flight from Brisbane to Belgrade, Serbia.
He was arrested on an outstanding warrant in relation to the cannabis crop house uncovered in Glen Iris. He has since been charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis.
An extradition hearing was held at Brisbane City Court, and he was remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 19 August.
The male’s co-accused – a 22-year-old male – is currently remanded in NSW in relation to this matter and further drug-related matters in NSW.
Quotes from Prahran Divisional Response Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Moreland
“We make absolutely no apologies for targeting those cultivating or manufacturing drugs.”
“The cultivation of cannabis has a number of dire consequences for the community, including financially funding further criminal activity, road trauma caused by impaired drivers, and flow-on mental health impacts.
“We seek the public’s continued assistance by contacting police if they observe or hear any suspicious behaviour such as the covering or blacking out of windows, strong plant smells and unusual vehicle or pedestrian movement.”
