Police release cannabis raid statistics
Five people have been charged and thousands of cannabis plants worth more than $21 million have been seized by the NSW Police Force during a four-month operation across the State.
Locally, 57 locations were searched in the Richmond Local Area Command over five days between Monday 11 February and Friday 15 February. In total, officers seized 1749 cannabis ranging in size from 1m to 4.5m. The plants, which were destroyed, had an estimated potential street value of $3.6 million.
During the operation a 51-year-old Woodburn man was charged with cultivate prohibited plant and possess prohibited plant. He is due to appear in Lismore Local Court on Monday 10 March. A 59-year-old Lillian Rock man is due to appear in Lismore Local Court on Monday 17 March charged with cultivate prohibited plant.
The 11,897 plants were seized as part of Strike Force Hutching 2, the 2007/2008 phase of the Cannabis Eradication Program co-ordinated by the State Crime Command’s Drug Squad.
“Drug Squad detectives work closely with local area commands across the State, as well as the Police Airwing and Dog Unit, to locate plantations around New South Wales each year,” NSW Police Media said.
Drug Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Greig Newbery, praised the work carried out by his detectives and officers from the local area commands.
“This operation has been running successfully for a number of years and has a significant impact on the availability of cannabis in New South Wales, and in particular in the communities near where these seizures have been made,” Detective Superintendent Newbery said.
“Integral to the success of these intelligence-based operations is the work carried out by the local area commands, as well as information received from members of the community.
“We encourage people with information about the cultivation, production or supply of illicit drugs to contact police at their local station or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
“These seizures and arrests should send a clear message that the NSW Police Force will continue to heavily target people involved in the cultivation and supply of cannabis throughout NSW.”
