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Central Queensland raids net $60m in cannabis; dozens of greenhouses

More than $60 million worth of cannabis has been seized and dozens of purpose-built greenhouses shut down after police busted a national drug syndicate operating in central Queensland.

Aug 04, 2023, updated Aug 04, 2023
A screenshot from a supplied video shows a greenhouse containing cannabis plants on a rural property in Mount Maria, Queensland. Police have seized $60 million of drugs after two cannabis plantations were busted in central Queensland. (AAP Image/Supplied by Queensland Police)

A screenshot from a supplied video shows a greenhouse containing cannabis plants on a rural property in Mount Maria, Queensland. Police have seized $60 million of drugs after two cannabis plantations were busted in central Queensland. (AAP Image/Supplied by Queensland Police)

Eleven people from three states have been charged after police raids on isolated rural properties at Coonambula in the North Burnett region, and a second at Mount Maria in the Gladstone region.

The operation is believed to be part of a national drug syndicate producing commercial quantities of cannabis for distribution across Australia.

Police say 11 greenhouses were found at the North Burnett property containing 4932 cannabis plants ranging from seedlings to full maturity, along with dried and drying cannabis.

The cannabis has an estimated value of $24.7 million and four men were arrested at the property – three from Victoria, aged 30, 55 and 38, and a 41-year-old Queensland man from Avenell Heights.

All four have been remanded in custody on multiple charges including producing dangerous drugs.

A fifth man, 39, was later charged after arriving at the property in a vehicle allegedly carrying further drug equipment and resources.

The raid at the Gladstone property uncovered an even larger operation comprising 15 sophisticated hydroponic purpose-built greenhouses.

Detectives discovered 6189 cannabis plants and 564kg of dried cannabis in the greenhouses, a shed and in a house on the property, along with a significant amount of drug equipment and a small quantity of cocaine.

The cannabis has an estimated value of $35.3 million.

Six people allegedly caught red-handed working in the greenhouses tried to escape into dense bushland, where they were tracked by the police dog squad.

Two men from Victoria, aged 45 and 48, and four men from NSW – aged from 26 to 38 – were charged with multiple offences and have been remanded in custody.

Detective Inspector Bradley Phelps said it was a significant drug seizure.

“This syndicate has obviously interstate links and (we) will be alleging that these drugs were to supply markets not only within Queensland but interstate,” Det Insp Phelps said.

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