Police have uncovered more than $2 million worth of marijuana plants in several raids conducted on New South Wales homes Wednesday.
Up to 1400 cannabis plants were found growing inside the residential walls of six homes in Maitland, in the Lower Hunter Valley, by Strike Force Devom detectives about 8am.
The sting was part of a highly organised crack down on Vietnamese nationals who have been suspected of being involved in a criminal syndicate, The Herald reports.
Up to 1400 cannabis plants were found growing inside the residential walls of six homes in Maitland during raids conducted Wednesday morning
Strike Force Devom detectives uncovered more than $2 million worth of marijuana plants
The sting was part of a highly organised crack down on Vietnamese nationals who have been suspected of being involved in a criminal syndicate
Homes in homes in Raworth, Tenambit, Heddon Greta, Aberglasslyn and Chisholm were stormed in the early morning bust, with four men and one woman – believed to be ‘crop sitting’ – arrested.
The properties were allegedly bypassing the electricity supply and featured fake walls, dozens of glow lights, hundreds of metres of wiring, and watering and ventilation systems.
One house had more than 400 cannabis plants pulled from it alone.
Homes in homes in Raworth, Tenambit, Heddon Greta, Aberglasslyn and Chisholm were raided
Four men and one woman – all Vietnamese nationals – who were believed to be ‘crop sitting’ were arrested
The properties were allegedly bypassing the electricity supply and featured fake walls, dozens of glow lights, hundreds of metres of wiring, and watering and ventilation systems
Police alleged the low-level Vietnamese operatives behind the grow houses had strategically placed a baby walker out the front of one of the homes and installed Christmas lights.
But Detective Superintendent Craig Jackson said there were still obvious signs of what was lurking within the walls.
He said ‘tell tale’ signs like a strong marijuana scent circulating the properties, windows being boarded up and low activity were dead giveaways.
Police alleged the low-level Vietnamese operatives behind the grow houses had strategically placed a baby walker out the front of one of the homes
Detective Superintendent Craig Jackson said there were still obvious signs of what was lurking within the walls
‘They will do everything they can to fly under the radar … [but] they do not present as your typical neighbour,’ he said.
The raids were the first major cannabis bust since more than 300 plants were unearthed from a home in Newcastle in October.
Nail salon owner Nga White, 44, was charged with knowingly directing the activities of criminal group.
The raids were the first major cannabis bust since more than 300 plants were unearthed from a home in Newcastle in October
Nail salon owner Nga White, 44, was charged with knowingly directing the activities of criminal group
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