$1.7m drug crop seized during raid
POLICE have raided a largescale drug operation east of Toowoomba, uncovering what is believed to be a cannabis crop worth $1.7 million.
The Lockyer Valley property raids also led to the arrest of five men, who have been charged with a raft of drug offences.
About 30kg of cannabis, and more than 4000 cannabis plants were located.
INVESTIGATIONS are continuing after police raids uncovered a Lockyer Valley drug operation believed to be worth $1.7 million.
The search warrant of two properties in at Brightview occurred on Tuesday morning, leading to the arrest of five men.
Police found four greenhouses containing 4581 marijuana plants, hydroponic growing chemicals and equipment which is believed to have been used to produce the large scale plantations on a Redwood Drive property.
Almost 30kg of dried marijuana was also found in a shed.
It is alleged the street value is worth about $1.7 million.
An additional 144 marijuana plants and hydroponics system were also seized from a second property on Boyces Rd in Mount Tarampa.
The search warrant of the two properties was executed by detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Command’s Drug and Serious Crime Group, alongside the Ipswich Tactical Crime Squad and Laidley police.
Three men aged 21, 36 and 46, as well as two 27-year-old men have been charged with producing and possession of dangerous drugs and possession of anything used in the commission of a crime.
All five men were expected to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
“This was a substantial cannabis production and we will continue targeting and dismantling such productions and the illicit proceeds of criminal syndicates given the risk they pose to the community,” State Drug Squad Detective Acting Inspector Stephen Thiry said.
INVESTIGATIONS ARE CONTINUING, PHONE CRIME STOPPERS ON 1800 333 000.