A drug raid has prevented the sale of more than 11,000 cannabis plants after one of the biggest hydro seizures in Queenland’s history.
Officers from the Drug and Serious Crime Group uncovered a ‘very sophisticated’ hydroponic operation across three properties in the Somerset area, west of Brisbane, on Wednesday, with the plants worth up to $60 million.
Police say 11, 795 cannabis plants were seized in Mount Hallen, Churchable and Coominya from the drug houses.
A drug raid has prevented the sale of more than 11,000 cannabis plants (pictured)
Officers from the Drug and Serious Crime Group uncovered a ‘very sophisticated’ hydroponic operation across three properties west of Brisbane
In addition to the haul of plants which vary in size from seedlings to one as big as one and a half metres, there was also a large amount of dry product ready for distribution.
Two men, aged 24 and 26, were found during the raids at Coominya and have both been charged with producing dangerous drugs.
State Crime Command Drug and Serious Crime Group Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker believes ‘several hundred thousand dollars’ was invested into the infrastructure at each of the properties.
An estimated $60 million worth of marijuana went up in flames after the massive drug bust
Officers uncovered a ‘very sophisticated’ hydroponic operation in Queensland
‘There’s water piping. There’s fans. There’s lighting systems. There’s growhouse tents, machinery, a stockpile of chemicals,’ he said.
‘We believe this is probably one of the largest hydroponic seizures that we have undertaken in Queensland,’ Det. Supt Walker told 7 News.
‘We have gone a very long way to disrupt and dismantle a significant crime organisation, operating here in the south east area.
A large amount of dry product ready for distribution was also removed and plants were destroyed
He said the strike will have a major impact on the availability of in the Brisbane and South East Queensland drug markets.
‘Prior to the execution of yesterday’s search warrants investigations throughout Operation Papa Cider had already netted the arrest of seven people on 10 charges and the seizure of approximately 87kg of cannabis,’ Detective Superintendent Wacker said.
‘The estimated value of cannabis seized throughout this operation to date stands at approximately $60m.’
The two men charged are expected to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on January 10 while police continue to investigate.
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