FOUR men, including two teenagers, have been refused bail after being arrested while allegedly harvesting a large cannabis crop on a rural property on the outskirts of Bathurst.
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Guiseppe Romeo, 41, of Hillview Parade, Lurnea, appeared before magistrate Michael Allen in Lithgow on Friday where he made a failed release application after being charged with cultivating and supplying a prohibited plant in commercial quantities.
Police allege that between March 13 and March 22, Romeo cultivated 832 cannabis plants at Mount Rankin.
Police further allege Romeo supplied 60kg of cannabis leaf on March 22, 2018 at Mount Rankin.
Sebastiano Pillizzeri, 72, of Hillview Parade, Lurnea also appeared before magistrate Michael Allen, charged with cultivating a prohibited plant and supply. He, too, applied for bail and was refused.
The two juveniles charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of prohibited plant and commercial drug supply were also refused bail.
Police allege in December 2017, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad commenced an investigation into networks involved in the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.
Following extensive inquiries, a search warrant was executed at a property at Mount Rankin by detectives just after 9am on Thursday.
Police allege officers located a large-scale crop site of 832 cannabis plants in various stages of maturity and 130 harvested cannabis plants, which produced 60kg of cannabis head.
The total estimated potential street value of the plants and cannabis head is almost $2 million.
Drug and Firearms Squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter McErlain praised investigators for their unwavering determination to reduce the impact of illicit drugs on the community.
“Our cannabis team has worked long and hard - in less than ideal conditions - throughout the growing season and prevented more than $16 million of cannabis from hitting the streets,” Det Supt McErlain said.
“This is in addition to hundreds of millions of dollars worth of other illicit substances seized by police around the state.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the work all NSW Police officers are doing, not only in seizing drugs, but also in targeting those who are trying to get rich by inflicting pain and suffering on the community.”
“There were three major police operations in metro, regional, and rural areas targeting drug suppliers on Thursday, but we still need to tackle the issue of demand.
“We need the support of the community to break the cycle of addiction.”
Superintendent Paul McDonald from Chifley Police District said while investigations were led by metro-based units of the force, Chifley police worked closely with them.
“I am pleased that we have able to contribute to the outstanding results that have been achieved.”
Supt McDonald said recent arrests in the Chifley Police District - including those made by Strike Force Garnier earlier this month and arrests at Neville, near Blayney – show there are organised criminals allegedly manufacturing, cultivating and supplying very large quantities of prohibited drugs in the area.
“They [the arrests] demonstrate that the police working here in the Chifley District have the capacity and resolve to shut them down and put them before the courts.”