Police have made one of the largest cannabis busts in Victoria’s history after discovering $26 million worth of the drug during a search of a rural property in South Gippsland.
Five Vietnamese nationals, four men and one woman aged between 25 and 54, were arrested after officers stormed an address on Koonwarra Inverloch Road in Leongatha South about 7.45am on Tuesday.
Police said they allegedly found a “sophisticated hydroponic set-up” in several commercial-sized hot houses.
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“This is the one of the most significant and complex cannabis hydroponic set-ups that we have seen in recent times,” Detective Acting Inspector Leemara Fairgrieve said.
Police also allegedly uncovered plants ranging from seedlings through to mature-sized plants weighing in at 1.7 tonnes.
The overall crop of 6525 plants has an estimated street value of more than $26 million.
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Police set fire to the plants, destroying all traces of the drug.
The accused were all charged with cultivating and trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis and remanded to face Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on March 7.
Anyone with any suspicion of drug-related activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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