Authorities have seized over 1.4 tonnes of cannabis, worth about $11 million from multiple properties in regional Victoria, including one address in Maryborough and another in Dunluce.

Detectives from the Major Drug Squad have arrested eight people as part of an investigation into an Asian organised crime syndicate allegedly cultivating large commercial quantities of cannabis across remote areas in the state.

Locally, investigators executed a search warrant at a large property spanning 13 acres on Bealiba South Road in Dunluce — with the assistance of the Air Wing, the Special Operations Group roped into  the property at around 9 am on  November 29, and found a number of greenhouses containing almost 1400 cannabis plants, weighing approximately 800 kilograms, at various stages of maturity. 

Infrastructure was also in place to support the cultivation of cannabis, including freshly dug large dams, irrigation and pumps around the property as well as a large number of solar panels and a generator.

Two male Vietnamese nationals, a 32-year-old and 42-year-old, were both charged with cultivate large commercial quantity of cannabis.

They were remanded to appear at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on  March 6, 2024.

In Maryborough, on November 27, investigators from the Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at a Box Street address.

A sophisticated hydroponic set up was located, and police seized over 250 cannabis plants at varying stages of maturity.

Two other properties were raided as part of the operation — in Kamarooka and a residential address in Deer Park, where authorities seized around 1800 and 250 cannabis plants respectively. 

With assistance from the Country Fire Authority, all of the plants were burned on site.

Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

More to come in Tuesday’s edition of The Advertiser.