300 cannabis plants siezed at Hillside

More than 300 cannabis plants were seized when police raided a Hillside house last month.

Senior Sergeant Cameron Reinke said police executed a warrant at a single-storey Peradona Way house on November 17.

He said the house had been set up with “sophisticated” hydroponic equipment, with some rooms used to grow and dry the cannabis plants.

No arrests have been made and police investigations are continuing.

“We seized more than 300 cannabis plants of various sizes, and associated equipment,” Senior Sergeant Reinke said.

“I couldn’t say it was an organised drug ring, but it was a very sophisticated set-up. Somebody spent a lot of time and effort getting it to the stage we had found it in.”

He said electricity to the house had been illegally bypassed, and several rooms had been divided to create additional rooms. Damage valued at tens of thousands of dollars had been caused to the rental property. Police believe at least one person was living at the house.

Senior Sergeant Reinke said police found cannabis plants in various stages of maturity, but most were “immature”.

He said the set-up was at least several months old. The street value of the cannabis, if it had matured, would have been “significant”.

“The obvious concerns we have when main powers are bypassed is that we don’t know who does it.

“There’s the risk that it’s done by unlicensed and unqualified people – they do it in such a way, there could be the potential for fire.”

Senior Sergeant Reinke said neighbours had alerted police to the Hillside house. He urged landlords and neighbours to keep an eye on rental properties.

“Generally things to look out for are windows and doors shuttered up all day; rarely seeing their neighbours; people attending the house at unusual times; wheelie bins not being put out or collected; and mail being left for a long period of time,” he said.

Anyone with information can contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.