Cops seize $3.75million worth of cannabis in covert drug sting at an isolated farm south of Sydney - before burning the massive haul of drugs
- Police officers seized $3.75million of cannabis plants during a rural property raid
- Some 1,800 mature cannabis plants were being grown in three big greenhouses
- After collecting all the plants and putting them in piles, officers burned them
- Two men, 37 and 53, were arrested at the site, which also had a living quarters
- They were charged with commercial cannabis cultivation and refused bail
NSW Police have seized and burned 1,800 cannabis plants with a street value of $3.75 million from a sophisticated greenhouse operation.
The multi-million dollar operation was uncovered when investigators raided a rural property on Marulan Street in Wingello, part of the NSW Southern Highlands, at 10am on Tuesday.
Two men, aged 37 and 53, were arrested at the property and taken to Goulburn Police Station, where they were charged with large commercial cannabis cultivation.
Pictures and videos from the scene show police removing 1,800 mature cannabis plants from three expansive greenhouses.
An agronomist certified the plants were cannabis before NSW Rural Fire Service arrived to help burn the drugs.
One of three expansive warehouses that homed a total of 1,800 mature cannabis with a street value of $3.75 million in Wingello, part of the NSW Southern Highlands
NSW Police seized and burned the cannabis with help from the NSW Rural Fire Service after raiding the rural property at 10am on Tuesday
In addition to the greenhouses, there was also a large drying room and sleeping quarters on the rural property.
Cannabis is commonly dried for 10 to 15 days after harvesting to activate its psychoactive element known as THC.
While growing, cannabis plants require constant attention from growers to make sure they have the right temperature, light, nutrients and pH level in water and soil.
The Hume Police District began investigating cannabis cultivation in the Southern Highlands earlier this month.
After receiving a search warrant, police raided the rural property on Tuesday.
'The total estimated potential street value of the seizure is $3.75 million,' a NSW Police spokesperson said.
A 53-year-old man and a 37-year-old man were arrested on the site and charged with large commercial cannabis cultivation.
They were both refused bail to appear at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday.
Inquiries are continuing, according to NSW Police.
A police officer hauls cannabis plants from one of the greenhouses. The Hume Police District began investigating cannabis cultivation in the Southern Highlands earlier this month
A pile of cannabis ready to be burned outside of a warehouse. Two men, aged 37 and 53, were arrested at the property and charged with large commercial cannabis cultivation
