Cannabis worth more than $16 million seized in three-week police operation

Last week, from Monday to Thursday, police from the State Crime Command’s Drug Squad joined the Police Air Wing, PolAir, and local officers in raiding illegal crop sites as part of the Cannabis Eradication Program (CEP).

More than 4000 plants, with an estimated potential street value in excess of $8 million, were seized.

The New South Wales Police force’s annual cannabis raids on the state’s North Coast – the Byron Bay-Nimbin alternative lifestyle region – have seen local police seize more than 12,500 marijunana plants, worth an estimated $16 million, over the last three weeks.

The mostly juvenile plants carried a whopping street value of A$8.6 million (US6.2 million).

In a statement emailed to Mashable Australia, NSW police said the crops were discovered by police officers and park staff off a secluded walking trail in Bundjalung National Park on November 11.

The crop was found by personnel attached to Operation Bindiguy, a high-visibility contingent of Richmond Rural Crime Investigators and National Parks and Wildlife Services staff. The estimated potential street value of the crop is about $8.6 million.

The raids took place in a number of locations in the Richmond area as part of the Cannabis Eradication Program, which generally takes place during cannabis-growing season.