Zoe Moffatt
More than $1.2 million worth of cannabis plants have been seized and eight arrests made across Brimbank and Melton, police announced on June 9.
Brimbank Divisional Response Unit Detectives made the arrests as part of an operation targeting those stealing electricity to manufacture plants.
Brimbank Divisional Response Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Kylie Snart said detectives are intent on disrupting illicit drugs being grown or manufactured in the area, including cannabis crop houses.
“The cultivation of cannabis is dangerous as crop houses are often linked to wider criminal networks that are looking to boost their coffers to fund further offending in our community,” Detective Senior Sergeant Snart said.
“Crop houses also pose a significant community risk themselves, with a number of well-documented instances of fires in homes that were growing hydroponic cannabis crops.
“We are regularly targeting crop houses through various intelligence means, including regular engagement with energy authorities with abnormalities in the power network and most importantly, reports of suspicious behaviour from the community.”
Detectives executed 13 warrants this week in Brimbank and Melton, and identified nine hydroponic cannabis set ups with three containing a commercial quantity of cannabis.
Throughout the week 618 cannabis plants were seized, with an estimated street value in excess of $1.2 million.
Police also seized 11 electrical bypass units which were allegedly used to steal electricity, and were diverted to facilitate the hydroponic set up.
Seven people have been charged with cultivating cannabis and theft of electricity, including a 29-year-old Brookfield man, a 51-year-old Burnside women, a 44-year-old Burnside man, a 64-year-old Caroline Springs man, a 62-year-old Caroline Springs man, a 51-year-old Caroline Springs man and a 42-year-old Taylors Hill man.
Police said they will continue to make enquiries with the eighth person who was arrested this week. Those charged have been bailed to appear at court at a later date.
