By Tate Papworth
Seven people have been arrested and almost 600 cannabis plants seized following the execution of a number of warrants across the west last month.
Suburbs targeted included St Albans, Sunshine, Deer Park, Kealba and Melton.
Brimbank Divisional Response Unit officers executed 19 search warrants over a three day period in early September.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 591 plants, five firearms and an amount of cash.
Among those arrested were a 29-year-old man from Deer Park who was charged with cultivate cannabis.
He was bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates Court at a later date.
A 39-year-old St Albans woman and a 58-year-old St Albans woman were both charged with cultivate cannabis and bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates Court.
Sergeant Steve Boskovski said power companies were instrumental in helping to identify properties being used for cultivation.
“Advancement in equipment has allowed them to easily identify addresses using high amounts of power, despite by-passes being set up,” Sergeant Boskovski said.
“Police will continue to work with these businesses in order to uncover further crop houses in the area and keep the community safe.”
