POLICE raided a Cairnlea house and allegedly discovered more than 300 cannabis plants last week.
Three men have been charged after Brimbank Divisional Crime Tasking Unit detectives executed a warrant at the Lobelia Grove address last Wednesday night.
A 31-year-old Caroline Springs man, a 37-year-old St Albans man and a 45-year-old man of no fixed address were charged with cultivating and trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis, theft of electricity and other drug offences.
They were remanded to appear in court at a later date.
Meanwhile, a man convicted of cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis at his Caroline Springs home has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.
The man was sentenced to a total of three years and nine months imprisonment – with a minimum of two years and nine months – after he was charged with growing 34 cannabis plants weighing more than 120 kilograms in total.
The County Court recently heard the case against Anthony Del Re, who was also charged with stealing electricity worth more than $13,450 as part of a “sophisticated hydroponic setup” and possessing about 152 grams of cannabis for personal use.
Judge Tony Howard said during September 2011, police executed a search warrant at Mr Del Re’s Caroline Springs rental home, where they found the cannabis crop growing inside three rooms.
“Inside were large globes, lampshades, industrial sized exhaust fans with carbon filters and other growing paraphernalia,” Judge Howard said.
“Outside in a hallway there was a complex watering system, which provided nutrients to the plants, involving temperature gauges and timers.
“The plants were all healthy, mature, bushy female plants ready for harvest.
“They stood 1.2 to 1.4 metres high and had been growing for about five months.”
The judge said Mr Del Re told police he had planted the crop because he was a long time cannabis user and wanted the drug for personal use.
“You claimed you had no idea that you were cultivating a commercial quantity of the drug and that you had no intention to do so and that your wild success could all be put down to mere good fortune,” Judge Howard said.
Judge Howard said although Mr Del Re was in full employment and was “devoted and caring” towards his partner and their daughter, growing a large cannabis crop had earned him a significant sentence.
“On behalf of the community, I strongly denounce your conduct,” Judge Howard said.
Mr Del Re was also fined $300 for possessing cannabis and was ordered to pay AGL Retail Energy Ltd more than $13,450 for the stolen electricity.
