Weedpipe
Active Member
AUSTRALIA - A custom-built underground bunker at a rural New South Wales property was used to grow hundreds of cannabis plants worth millions of dollars, police allege.
A raid of the property on Holbrook Road, south of Wagga Wagga yesterday, uncovered the secret set-up where some 800 mature plants were found growing hydroponically.
The crop had an estimated street value of about $5.9 million, police say.
"The bunker was underneath a shed - an area dug-out and concreted, about the size of a double garage," Detective Inspector Rod Smith told AAP today.
"There was also a quantity of cannabis leaf (found) in a separate shed on the same property."
In an earlier statement police described the bust as "massive" and said there was 150kg of cannabis leaf. Combined with plants, it has an estimated value of almost $6 million.
Officers also found 19 firearms hidden at the property, including 16 rifles and three pistols.
"I expect that charges may be laid in regards to the firearms at a later date," Insp Smith said.
Some five hours after the midday (AEST) raid police arrested the occupant of the property, Andrew Foster, 50, at Sydney's Bondi Junction shopping centre.
"I really can't go into how, but after extensive inquiries we were able to track him down to Bondi Junction and arrest him," Insp Smith said.
He was charged with cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis and taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of cannabis.
Mr Foster faced eastern Sydney's Waverley Local Court today when he was formally refused bail by Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge. He is due to next face Burwood Local Court on August 4 by audio visual link.
Insp Smith said investigations were continuing and that others will "possibly" be charged, although "not at this stage".
He would not confirm if others were living at the Holbrook Road property at the time of the raid.
The drugs were seized and will be analysed before being destroyed.
News Forum: rollitup.org
Source: heraldsun.com
Contact: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/
Copyright: 2010 heraldsun.com
Website: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/underground-bunker-used-for-cannabis/story-e6frf7jx-1225876566285
A raid of the property on Holbrook Road, south of Wagga Wagga yesterday, uncovered the secret set-up where some 800 mature plants were found growing hydroponically.
The crop had an estimated street value of about $5.9 million, police say.
"The bunker was underneath a shed - an area dug-out and concreted, about the size of a double garage," Detective Inspector Rod Smith told AAP today.
"There was also a quantity of cannabis leaf (found) in a separate shed on the same property."
In an earlier statement police described the bust as "massive" and said there was 150kg of cannabis leaf. Combined with plants, it has an estimated value of almost $6 million.
Officers also found 19 firearms hidden at the property, including 16 rifles and three pistols.
"I expect that charges may be laid in regards to the firearms at a later date," Insp Smith said.
Some five hours after the midday (AEST) raid police arrested the occupant of the property, Andrew Foster, 50, at Sydney's Bondi Junction shopping centre.
"I really can't go into how, but after extensive inquiries we were able to track him down to Bondi Junction and arrest him," Insp Smith said.
He was charged with cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis and taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of cannabis.
Mr Foster faced eastern Sydney's Waverley Local Court today when he was formally refused bail by Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge. He is due to next face Burwood Local Court on August 4 by audio visual link.
Insp Smith said investigations were continuing and that others will "possibly" be charged, although "not at this stage".
He would not confirm if others were living at the Holbrook Road property at the time of the raid.
The drugs were seized and will be analysed before being destroyed.
News Forum: rollitup.org
Source: heraldsun.com
Contact: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/
Copyright: 2010 heraldsun.com
Website: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/underground-bunker-used-for-cannabis/story-e6frf7jx-1225876566285