The crop came to light when firemen arrived to extinguish a small blaze – ironically started when an illegal hydroponic set-up heating the plants caught fire. A passer-by saw smoke and called 000.
Detective Sergeant Peter Morris, of Frankston CIU, said he “could not put a value on the crop at this early stage” as the plants were at varying stages of maturity.
“It was an elaborate set-up covering the entire floor,” he said.
The factory, on the corner of Rutherford, Lathams and Stephenson roads, had been tenanted six months. Detectives had spoken to the owner and were searching for the tenants, Friday.
