$2.3 million worth of cannabis seized

Detectives have charged two men and seized nearly $2.3 million worth of cannabis and three firearms on the state’s Mid North Coast.

In December 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Gozo to investigate outdoor cannabis cultivation in the state’s north.

Their inquiries uncovered a property west of Port Macquarie, bordered by the Cottan-Bimbang National Park, being used for outdoor cannabis cultivation.

Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a property at Byabarra, about 40km west of Port Macquarie, from midday yesterday (Monday 20 April 2020).

Officers have so far located and seized nearly 1000 plants and 50kg of cannabis head with an estimated potential street value of nearly $2.3 million.

Police also seized three firearms – a shotgun, rifle and air rifle – from the property.

Two men – aged 46 and 53 – were arrested and taken to Port Macquarie Police Station.

The younger man was charged with six offences including supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), four counts of cultivate cannabis (indictable quantity) and cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity).

The older man was charged with cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity).

Police will allege in court that the men were involved in the commercial cultivation of cannabis across NSW.

Investigations by the Drug and Firearms Squad are continuing, and further arrests are expected.