Man charged after Murrumbidgee police raid on alleged Riverina underground cannabis bunker

The Murrumbidgee Police District Proactive Crime Team charged the man after executed a search warrant on a property on Old Willbriggie Road at Hanwood, south of Griffith at 8.34am on Friday.

A police statement said that during the search of a bedroom at the house, police located a "sophisticated hydroponic cannabis set-up" and seized 16 small cannabis plants.

"A further search of the premises revealed an underground bunker with a trap door concealed under the living room carpet. Ten mature cannabis plants, all being grown under heat lamps, were seized by police," the police statement said.

"Also found during the search was a quantity of cannabis leaf, methylamphetamine and MDMA and a trench knife, which is classified as a prohibited weapon.

"Officers also seized equipment consistent with the cultivation and supply of cannabis."

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A 53-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Griffith Police Station.

He was charged with five offences including cultivate prohibited plant, alter or add to electricity installation for metering, possess prohibited weapon without permit and two counts of possess prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to appear at Griffith Local Court on Saturday.

The search was executed by by officers from Strike Force Kincora, a team of investigators from the Murrumbidgee Police District targeting hydroponic cannabis cultivation with links to the region's organised crime networks

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