By ALESHA CAPONE
POLICE seized cannabis plants with a street value of around $400,000 from a Delahey house on 18 July.
The Brimbank Drug Team executed a warrant in Ryland Circuit and found a hydroponic crop in the roof of the home, where they uncovered 207 plants.
A Delahey man, 38, was remanded in custody after being charged with cultivating cannabis and other offences, including possessing cannabis and theft of electricity.
After the raid, a 43-year-old woman – who had been illegally living in Australia – was taken into custody by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Detective Sergeant Mark Bagally, from the Brimbank Drug Team, said a fully-mature cannabis could be worth around $2000, depending on factors including size.
“So with 207 plants, if you multiply that by $2000, it’s around $400,000-odd money’s worth,” he said.
Also on 18 July, Melton police raided a Caroline Springs home, where they found 149 cannabis plants.
In an unrelated operation, police uncovered more than 180 cannabis plants from two Albanvale premises on 17 July, as part of Operation TAXA.
Since last year, the Victoria Police operation has been targeting cannabis ’grow houses’ in the north-west of Melbourne.
In January, police raided properties in Sydenham, Hillside and Melton as part of the operation.
A Maserati, a Harley Davidson and around $700,000 worth of cannabis plants were confiscated by detectives.
Det Sgt Bagally said when police detected a cannabis grow house, they usually arrested a person known as a ’crop sitter’.
“Generally talking, with crop houses, it’s organised crime. There can be a system of hierarchy and by and large we get the sitter – the bottom-feeders, if you will,” he said.
“What we often get is a person who is illegal and has been groomed for the job. Not always, but sometimes.”
Det Sgt Bagally said grow houses, which are residences converted especially to cultivate cannabis plants, have become more common across Melbourne.
“I think it’s reasonably wide-spread. Often they are brought to our attention by power companies or members of the public who become suspicious, and call in,” he said.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
