A 51-YEAR-OLD Hanwood man was arrested on Thursday morning and has been charged for cultivating a commercial quantity of marijuana.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Griffith police Detective Superintendent Michael Rowan said further arrests of persons of interest from the Griffith area were anticipated.
The man was arrested as part of Strike Force Oceanic, a joint operation into the illicit drug supply in the community which resulted in the seizure of a crop estimated to be worth $6 million.
A 40-year-old Murrami man handed himself to detectives on Thursday afternoon.
The Hanwood man has also been charged for participating in a criminal group.
Two warrants were executed yesterday seeking corroborative evidence regarding the cultivation of commercial quantities of cannabis from an illegal cannabis crop which was cultivated in Crowther earlier this year.
A small hydroponic crop of cannabis and a firearm were located during one of the searches.
Detective Superintendent Rowan said the latest arrests were part of the continuing efforts of police to tackle organised criminal activity regarding the illegal cultivation and supply of prohibited drugs in Griffith and throughout the state.
"The continued disruption to these ventures are real examples of the good work being conducted by the police," Det Supt Rowan said.
He said it was clearly evident that prohibited drugs were a scourge to society and people who trafficked drugs were damaging society and those in it.
"I encourage any person with information whatsoever about the cultivation, and or supply of prohibited drugs to contact police at Griffith with this information," Det Supt Rowan said.
"I think we have a good record of investigating matters that are brought to us by the community and charging those involved. This final arrest phase of Oceanic is a live demonstration of that commitment to make the community a better place."
In February, 40 police officers swooped on a number of local properties.
They raided a property on Wood Road in Yenda and uncovered and seized two pallets filled with shotgun cartridges and 60 kilograms of gunpowder.
- The Area News