Police have charged four men and seized $1.5m worth of cannabis as part of an ongoing investigation into cultivation of cannabis in the Hunter Valley area.
In July this year (2021), officers attached to the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad commenced an investigation into the hydroponic cultivation of cannabis in the Hunter region.
Following extensive inquiries, officers executed a search warrant at a property on Cessnock Road, Abermain, about 12.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 8 September 2021).
During the search, officers found a sophisticated indoor hydroponic set up and seized 157 cannabis plants.
Police arrested four men, aged 34, 27, 24 and 23 years old, at the property.
The men were taken to Cessnock Police Station, where they were each charged with take part enhanced indoor cultivate cannabis commercial.
They were also issued a $5,000 fine each for breaching the Public Health Order.
The men were bail refused to appear before Cessnock Local Court today (Thursday 9 September 2021), where they were formally refused bail.
As part of inquiries, about 3.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 8 September 2021), police executed a second search warrant at a property on Wollombi Road, Cessnock, where they found another sophisticated set-up and seized a further 148 cannabis plants.
Investigations continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.