New state police have smashed a drug den in the Midwest, arrested four people and are investigating whether they have links with the Italian mafia.
Police raided a property near Bathurst on Thursday and seized 1.7 million yuan worth of marijuana plants, arresting four people, the company reported.
The men looked like soccer fields from the air at the marijuana plantation in Mt Rankin, police said.
Police arrested two teenagers, as well as men, aged 41 and 72, three of whom were Italian citizens who came to Australia on student visas.
Four officers wearing camouflage with a man handcuffed on the ground.
Detective McClellan (Peter McErlain), director of the New State fight Crime Command, said they were investigating links between the group and foreign criminal groups. The three Italian citizens seem to be a family. "We are still investigating the case, but because they are Italian, some of the information needs to be verified by Interpol, so the investigation is still in progress."
Meanwhile, on Thursday, police carried out other drug-related searches in the sub-developed areas of New prefecture and the southwest district of Sydney.
A shed containing drums with chemicals and drug making equipment
During other joint investigations and operations by the New State fight Crime Command, police raided Parkes,Forbes, Sydney and Illawarra and arrested more than 20 men.
A 39-year-old man was charged with 185 counts, including the supply of methamphetamine in commercial quantities.
Police found and dismantled two large drug chambers in Neville, near Blayney, and Moorebank, southwest of Sydney.
Police seized $4.5 million worth of MDMA and more than $ one hundred thousand in cash in two drug laboratories.
Midwestern police officer Taylor (Chris Taylor) said his colleagues assisted in one of the largest operations they have ever participated in.
He said they had opened an investigation since March last year after receiving a public tip.
The police are expected to arrest more people.
