ABC News Australia reports……
Police in South Australia say drugs are continuing to be trafficked across state borders despite coronavirus restrictions, after seizing a large amount of cannabis from properties across Adelaide.
Key points:
- Nineteen properties were searched by SA Police across suburban Adelaide
- Plants, dried cannabis and $29,000 in cash were seized
- Police believe proceeds of the operation were being sent to Europe
Almost 650 cannabis plants were seized, and three men arrested and charged, following police raids on 19 houses across the metropolitan area, including at Netherby, Findon, Thebarton and Morphett Vale.
The raids were carried out yesterday and yielded more than 60 kilograms of dried cannabis and $29,000 in cash, police said.
The seized drugs have an estimated street value “in excess of $6,000,000” and police said evidence suggested “some of the proceeds of the drug trafficking were being sent overseas to European countries”.
“We found cannabis at 12 of the houses and, quite disturbingly, we found evidence of cannabis at the remaining seven houses as well,” Detective Superintendent Stephen Taylor said.
“With this particular syndicate it appears as though all of the houses were set up [for] hydroponics.
Police said the cannabis was intended for sale in SA and in other states, despite ongoing restrictions on interstate travel including border checkpoints and extra patrols.
“There’s certainly evidence to indicate that drugs have been going across the border. They use all sorts of routes,” Superintendent Taylor said.
“Certainly COVID has had some impact in the way the crime syndicates conduct their business model — they’re always constantly evolving.”
Three men have been arrested, including a 40-year-old from Munno Para West who has been charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and theft of electricity.
A 39-year-old from Magill is also facing those charges, as well as drug trafficking and money laundering.
A 37-year-old from Hope Valley was charged with cultivating cannabis.
Police also seized a vehicle and allege electricity was being illegally diverted to power the operation.
