Three men arrested last week as police disrupted a large-scale hydroponic cannabis set-up will appear before Cowra Local Court next month.
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The men who are of Vietnamese nationality, two aged 21 and the third 23, were arrested with the assistance of the Dog Squad and Chifley Rescue Unit at a Ryall Street residence on Tuesday, October 15.
The men were charged with cultivating cannabis and released on conditional bail to appear before Cowra Local Court on Wednesday, November 6.
The arrests were made following a police investigation that began with a random breath test.
About 5.45pm on October 14, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol stopped a white Lexus being driven by a 38-year-old Regents Park man on the Great Western Highway near Bowenfels for the purpose of a random breath test.
The vehicle was searched and property suspected of being connected with enhanced indoor cannabis cultivation was seized.
The man was released and an investigation commenced in respect to the seized property.
About 8am on October 15, police disrupted several vehicles as they arrived at the Ryall Street residence and seized 130 plants of varying maturity.
A 66-year-old Vietnamese man, who is in Australia unlawfully, was also arrested and charged with cultivating cannabis and appeared before Lithgow Local Court on Wednesday, October 16.
The man was arrested after police attended a house on Oakey Forest Road at Marrangaroo where it is alleged they located an elaborate hydroponic cannabis set-up and seized 113 cannabis plants.
A short time later, officers executed a crime scene warrant at a home on Stonestreet Place at Windradyne where a stockpile of equipment used in the indoor cultivation of cannabis was located.
Another Vietnamese man, aged 41, who is in Australia unlawfully, was arrested and taken to Lithgow Police Station.
The set-up which was operating across the Chifley Police District is believed to have a street value of close to $600,000.
Police investigations are continuing.
