THOUSANDS of cannabis plants with an estimated street value of more than $6 million have been seized during a police operation near Cobar.
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The outdoor cannabis cultivation was uncovered on at 20,000 acre property following information provided to police.
Following extensive inquiries, a search warrant was conducted at a remote property at Tindarey, 80 kilometres north of Cobar, from midday on Tuesday.
Officers located and seized more than 3020 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of more than $6 million.
Police also seized a loaded double barrel shotgun and cannabis from a home on the property.
A 34-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cobar Police Station where he was charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), possess unregistered firearm, possess unauthorised firearm and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the large-scale cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.
The Griffith man was refused bail to appear at Bourke Local Court on Wednesday.
Drug and firearms squad commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said criminals using isolated and regional areas of NSW to grow cannabis crops would not go unnoticed.
"This seizure is the largest outdoor cannabis crop located by the NSW Police Force since 2017," he said.
"[This] was a dedicated plantation used solely for the purpose of large commercial cannabis cultivation and supply.
"We know from experience that criminal syndicates will often re-invest profits made from these crops into other illicit enterprises."
Detectives from the state crime command's drug and firearm squad, under Strike Force Hyperion, conducted the investigation with the assistance from Central North Police District.
Det Super Watson said police will continue to target these criminal networks that remain in operation.
"Information from the community can be the vital piece of information that leads our investigators to an arrest, so if you see something suspicious please contact police or Crime Stoppers immediately," he said.
Investigations by the drug and firearms squad are continuing, and further arrests are expected.
Police have urged anyone with information in relation to the cultivation and supply of cannabis to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our social media pages.
MAP: The location of Tindarey
