House Fire Leads Police to 500 Cannabis Plants.

A house fire at Weston yesterday morning has lead police to 500 Cannabis plants here in Hunter Valley

Emergency services were called to blaze around 9am yesterday morning, once inside they discovered a hydroponic set up inside the house.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended, established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.

Following further inquiries, police attended a home on William Street, Abermain, and located a 52-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, who were both identified as being unlawful citizens.

They were arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station.

Police then executed three search warrants at homes on First Street, Weston, and William Street, Abermain, late yesterday (Thursday 2 January 2020), and at Mount View Road, Cessnock, about 11am today (Friday 3 January 2020).

During these searches, police located and seized more than 500 cannabis plants, several kilograms of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.

The 52-year-old man has been charged with cultivate prohibited plant larger than commercial quantity, possess prohibited plant greater than indictable quantity, and deal with the proceeds of crime.

The 54-year-old woman has been charged with cultivate prohibited plant larger than commercial quantity, and possess prohibited plant,

They were refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 3 January 2020).