Police seize $7.5m worth of cannabis during Eradication Program

Police have seized $7.5 million worth of cannabis in Richmond Local Area Command during the second group of raids in the 2011-2012 Cannabis Eradication Program.

Strike Force Hyperion comprises detectives from the Drug Squad’s Cannabis Team, with assistance from the NSW Police Air Wing, Police Dog Unit, Radio Electronics Unit and officers from Richmond Local Area Command.

During the past week, Strike Force Hyperion officers targeted more than 60 cannabis crop sites throughout Richmond Local Area Command, including Kippenduff, Rappville, Clearfield, Busby Flat, Mummulgum, Bulldog, Drake, Nimbin, Blue Knob, Kyogle and Tabulam.

A total of 3734 plants were located and seized by police during the operation.

The total estimated potential street value of the plants seized during the past five days is $7.5 million. All plants seized by police have been now been destroyed.

The Cannabis Eradication Program has been running since the mid 1980s, with the NSW Police Force preventing almost $240 million worth of cannabis reaching NSW streets.

As in previous years, the 2011-2012 operation will see police conduct a number of similar raids over the next few months in an ongoing effort to target cannabis cultivation.

Acting Commander of the State Crime Command’s Drug Squad, Detective Acting Superintendent Steve Patton, said the Cannabis Eradication Program aims to disrupt the cannabis supply chain in NSW by targeting the source.

“Illegal cannabis growers choose their growing locations based on the mistaken belief that police won’t find them,” Det Acting Supt Patton said.

“However, as we prove with this program every year, we have the resources to find these crops and put a dent in the cannabis market.”

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