Police have seized almost $7 million worth of cannabis in the New England area during the first group of raids in the 2012-2013 Cannabis Eradication Program.
Strike Force Hyperion comprises detectives from the Drug Squad’s Cannabis Team, with assistance from the NSW Police Air Wing, Police Dog Unit, Radio Electronics Unit and local police.
During the past week, Strike Force Hyperion officers targeted more than 50 cannabis crop sites throughout the New England Local Area Command, in localities such as Diehard, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Carrai and Glen Elgin.
More than 3450 plants, many almost near maturity, were located and seized by police during the operation.
The total estimated potential street value of the plants seized is $6.9 million. All plants seized by police will be destroyed.
During the course of the week, police also seized about 7.5 kilos of dried cannabis, along with cannabis seeds and hash.
Investigators anticipate issuing a number of future court attendances as a result of this week’s raids.
The Cannabis Eradication Program has been running since the mid-1980s, with the NSW Police Force preventing more than $230 million worth of cannabis reaching NSW streets.
As in previous years, the 2012-2013 operation will see police conduct a number of similar raids over the next few months in an ongoing effort to target cannabis cultivation.
“The Cannabis Eradication Program was all about disrupting the cannabis supply chain in NSW by targeting the source,” Drug Squad Acting Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Cook, said.
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