MORE than $8 million worth of cannabis plants and leaf has been seized in a massive week-long operation in the New England.
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New England police, together with the State Crime Command’s drug squad and police helicopter crew, seized 4153 cannabis plants as well as 6kg of cannabis leaf and 1kg of cannabis resin.
The operation, which wrapped up late on Thursday night, also saw searches of national park areas east of Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield.
New England Inspector Roger Best told Fairfax Media five people had been arrested or charged during the four-day search, code-named Strike Force Hyperiom.
“Police will allege the cannabis seized had an estimated street value of $8.34 million,” he said on Friday.
“This operation has ensured a large quantity of illicit drugs doesn’t find its way onto local streets.”
Officers, which included the Target Action Group (TAG) and senior New England police, raided one property at Wytalibah in Diehard, east of Glen Innes, and seized 2400 cannabis plants, scattered across the property.
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“A 42-year-old woman was arrested and has since been released pending further investigations but police do expect to lay charges,” Inspector Best said.
“Four others were arrested or issued court attendance notices for offences of cultivating cannabis or possessing a prohibited drug.”
The accused are due to front court at a later date.
Police also seized several plants in the Boonoo Boonoo area, near Tenterfield.
“Police battled challenging and trying conditions including rugged terrain and difficult weather that restricted searching on day three of the operation,” Inspector Best said.
The operation was part of the force’s Cannabis Eradication Program which has seen tens of millions of dollars worth of cannabis seized in the New England in recent years.