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Hunter Valley cannabis seizure: 1,400 plants and $4m worth of drugs seized
Police have seized and destroyed approximately 1,465 cannabis plants, valued at an estimated $4 million, during a series of raids across the Hunter Valley known as Operation Cages.
The investigation, which began with a search in Cessnock in July, expanded through multiple warrants executed in Cessnock, Denman, Singleton Heights, and Muswellbrook between late September and early October. During the raids, officers discovered elaborate hydroponic setups and found that several properties had been illegally connected to the electricity grid.
Two men, aged 36 and 56, have been arrested and charged. The 36-year-old faces five charges, including organizing a drug premises and unauthorized diversion of electricity. The 56-year-old faces three charges related to the cultivation of a commercial quantity of a prohibited plant. Both men were refused bail and are scheduled to appear in Newcastle Local Court on November 25.
Entities
Cessnock · Denman · Hunter Valley · NSW Police · Newcastle Local Court
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Two men, aged 36 and 56, were arrested in connection with the drug cultivation. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au · www.huntervalleynews.net.au · www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au · newcastleweekly.com.au
- [● 5 SOURCES] The 36-year-old man faces five charges, including organizing a drug premises and diverting electricity without authorization. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au · www.huntervalleynews.net.au · www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au · newcastleweekly.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] The seized cannabis has an estimated street value of approximately $4 million. www.newcastleherald.com.au · newcastleweekly.com.au
- [● 5 SOURCES] The series of raids was conducted under the name Operation Cages. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au · www.huntervalleynews.net.au · www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au · newcastleweekly.com.au
- [● 5 SOURCES] The 56-year-old man faces three charges, including cultivating a commercial quantity of a prohibited plant. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au · www.huntervalleynews.net.au · www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au · newcastleweekly.com.au
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police seized and destroyed 1,465 cannabis plants during Operation Cages. newcastleweekly.com.au
- [● 5 SOURCES] Multiple properties involved in the operation were found to be illegally connected to the electricity grid. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au · www.huntervalleynews.net.au · www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au · newcastleweekly.com.au
- [● 5 SOURCES] Both suspects were refused bail and are scheduled to appear in Newcastle Local Court on November 25. www.newcastleherald.com.au · www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au · www.huntervalleynews.net.au · www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au · newcastleweekly.com.au