Police have dismantled a large cannabis crop house at a home in Chelsea, following an investigation into an alleged organised crime syndicate.
The Caulfield Divisional Response Unit executed a search warrant at the home on Newington Parade at 7.30am on Wednesday 8 July.
It will be alleged the sophisticated set up spanned the entirety of the property – eight rooms in total – with investigators seizing more than 200 cannabis plants of varying maturity.
The commercial quantity of the plants has an estimated potential street value of approximately $1.5 million.
A 22-year-old man from Caroline Springs was arrested at the property and charged with cultivating a drug of dependence.
Pending further analysis of the seized plant material, he could face additional charges.
The man was granted bail to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 1 August.
Quotes attributable to Caulfield Divisional Response Unit Sergeant Stuart Burnham:
“Crop houses can often go undetected for long periods of time, which is evident due to the maturity and number of plants seized.
“It’s for this reason that we ask residents to let us know if they suspect anything unusual at a neighbouring property.
“This can sometimes – but not always – include windows blacked out, lights always on in certain rooms at all hours, excessive external wiring or cables, as well as rare sightings of the resident, which is often at unusual hours.
“If you do suspect something, please make a report via Crime Stoppers and we will investigate. Remember, you can do this anonymously.”
https://www.police.vic.gov.au/chelsea-cannabis-crop-house-dismantled