Police raided 19 houses and seized 2200 marijuana plants. (photo from the Daily Telegraph)
Police recently smashed a large marijuana cultivation syndicate in Sydney and seized more than 2200 plants worth A $6.2 million worth of marijuana plants in 10 urban areas, arresting five people involved, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Last Wednesday, Gracie strike team (Strike Force Grassy) officers raided (Bankstown), Yeguna (Yagoona), Condel Park (Condell Park), Greenneke (Greenacre), Rivers Wood (Riverwood), Penshurst (Penshurst), Bexley (Bexley), Kent, (Campsie), Stiffey (Strathfield) and Modai (Mortdale), among other 19 properties.
Video footage of police raids on homes in the Mody district showed potted plants planted in several rooms under fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lamps operate through labyrinth-like wires and multiple power supplies.
Police alleged in court that more than 2200 marijuana plants and a large number of marijuana leaves had been seized, as well as some forged documents. The houses involved were rented with false documents.
A 32-year-old man and 28-year-old woman were arrested in a house in Pennsylvania. The woman, accused of planting large quantities of prohibited plants, participating in a criminal gang and denied bail, will appear in (Bankstown Local Court), Pennsylvania District Court, on July 18. The man, charged with rigging a criminal syndicate and knowingly planting and participating in the supply of illicit drugs, will appear on Sept. 5.
A 27-year-old man was also charged with 20 counts of involvement in planting prohibited plants.
A 21-year-old man was also arrested at a property in Stiffey on two counts of planting prohibited plants and joining a criminal gang.
In addition, a 33-year-old man allegedly fled the scene when police entered a related house in (Hurstville), a good market. After the arrest, the man was charged with involvement in criminal gangs and other charges.
Hongfang District Law Enforcement Unit (Redfern Region Enforcement Squad) Detective Governor Zabel (Stuart Bell) called for a sustained crackdown on the underground marijuana group. "there is no doubt that this is organized crime. The participants simply wanted to make a profit at all costs. We want to crack down on all aspects of their activities-not only to seize their equipment, but also to keep these criminals away from the streets. "
