$22.6 Million Cannabis Seized in Police Operation Targeting Hydro Houses – Strike Force Zambesi
Drug Possession: .6 Million cannabis seized in police operation targeting hydro houses – Strike Force Zambesi
Police have seized cannabis worth almost .6million during a five-month investigation targeting drug houses in south-western Sydney. Strike Force Zambesi was formed by South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad (RES) officers to shutdown hydroponic cannabis houses, while State Crime Command’s Asian Crime Squad has been probing the organised criminal syndicates behind them. Police have raided 58 houses — on average one every three days — and seized and destroyed 6979 cannabis plants and 131kg of cannabis head since March this year. The cannabis has an estimated potential street value of around 580000. Police also removed and destroyed a massive amount of hydroponic, electrical and lighting equipment, as well as chemicals. The so-called ‘hydro houses’ were detected in various Local Area Commands — including Ashfield, Bankstown, Cabramatta, Fairfield, Green Valley and Rosehill. Eighteen people — mainly ‘crop sitters’ — have been arrested and charged with 37 offences, including drug cultivation, drug possession, fraud and electricity theft. They’re currently before the courts. South West Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli, said the strike force’s focus has been two-pronged. “Strike Force Zambesi has not only been successful in shutting down 58 sophisticated hydroponic set-ups and disrupting the cannabis supply chain — but it’s also stopped the cash flow to the crime gangs behind them,” Assistant Commissioner Mennilli said …
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