newy.com.au – Police have seized another 925 cannabis plants from three homes in Muswellbrook and Singleton Heights, taking the total recovered during a Hunter drug investigation to 1465.
Police said all three homes searched on Thursday, 1 October, were illegally connected to the power grid. They estimate the plants seized across Operation Cages had a potential street value of about $4 million and said all had been destroyed.
Two men, aged 36 and 56, were charged after police executed crime scene warrants in Cessnock and Denman on 29 September. Police allege they found 280 cannabis plants and an illegal electricity connection at the Denman property.
Both men face charges of cultivating a commercial quantity of a prohibited plant, enhanced indoor cannabis cultivation for a commercial purpose, and being found on, entering or leaving drug premises.
The 36 year old also faces charges of organising, conducting or assisting drug premises and diverting or using electricity without authorisation.
Both men were refused bail in Bail Division Court 2 on 30 September and are due to appear in Newcastle Local Court on 25 November.
Police had earlier searched a Cessnock home on 21 July, where they allege they found a hydroponic cannabis growing setup. Hunter Valley detectives and the local Proactive Crime Team seized 260 mature plants, as well as seedlings, dried cannabis and hydroponic equipment.
Hunter Valley police are continuing inquiries under Operation Cages, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad.
