Three men have been charged after police disrupted a large-scale hydroponic cannabis set-up operating within the Blue Mountains.
Shortly before 5pm yesterday (Thursday 5 December 2019), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducting stationary random breath testing on the Great Western Highway, Lawson, where a white Toyota van entered the RBT site.
Officers spoke to the driver, a 43-year-old man from Fairfield West, and his male passenger, a 40-year-old man from Cabramatta, and could smell a strong odour coming from the vehicle.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers located and seized 71 kg of cannabis leaf with an estimated street value of $350,000.00.
The vehicle was seized and will be forensically examined.
The pair were arrested and taken to Springwood Police Station where they were charged with supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity and cultivate prohibited plant – commercial quantity.
Following inquiries, officers from Blue Mountains Police Area Command attended a residential address in Lawson, about 9pm (Thursday 5 December 2019).
During a search of the property, police located a hydroponic cannabis set-up containing 800 cannabis plants inside the home and two sheds. A crime scene was established.
The estimated street value of the cannabis plants is $1 million dollars.
A 38-year-old man from Fairfield West was arrested at the scene and taken to Springwood Police Station where he was charged with cultivate prohibited plant – commercial quantity and organises/conducts/assists drug premises.
All three men were refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Friday 6 December 2019).
