Officers attached to Operation Moonlight have uncovered two more hydroponic cannabis houses at Blair Athol this morning, bringing the total number of houses raided this week to six, with another house raided in nearby Bradbury last Friday.
This morning police uncovered two more hydroponic cannabis houses and removed a child from one of the homes.
Officers raided the two houses at The Kraal Drive and Mary Brown Place, just after 8am and arrested two men at the first house and a man and a woman from the other.
A young child was removed from the Mary Brown Place address.
While counting has not yet begun, police have found hundreds more cannabis plants and sophisticated hydroponic set-ups.
It brings the total number of houses uncovered in the suburb to six this week, in addition to another house at nearby Bradbury last week, and the total drugs seized are expected to exceed more than $10 million in value.
Operation Moonlight was established earlier this week by Campbelltown Local Area Command to investigate a highly organised drug cultivation syndicate in Blair Athol.
Police have been amazed at the sophistication of the drug houses uncovered, even those officers with years of drug detection experience.
"The lengths taken to set up these houses is nothing short of extreme and has involved the investment of millions of dollars," Campbelltown Local Area Commander Stuart Smith said.
"All houses uncovered have had extensive renovations undertaken with the creation of false walls and hidden corridors to hide the cannabis cultivation and make dedicated growing rooms.
"The drugs being seized are of an extremely high quality with each plant worth more than $5000."
Supt Smith praised the ears and eyes of residents who had helped police uncover Blair Athol’s first house on Monday and the dedication and expertise of talented detectives who have continued to uncover further houses in the suburb using advanced technology and other methods.
"I cannot thank the public enough for coming forward with information after observing suspicious activity," he said.
"Their efforts, together with the efforts of police, have prevented more than $10 million worth of cannabis hitting Sydney’s streets."
"This is a great result in the war against drugs and the public can be assured that we will be working hard to uncover more drug houses operating in the area."
Detectives are now carrying out extensive inquiries to detect the principal or principals of the drug operation.
Arrests so far have included a 51-year-old man arrested at Bradbury last week, a 54-year-old man arrested on Wednesday at Blair Athol, and three men and a woman who are assisting police with their inquiries at Campbelltown Police Station after being arrested at the two houses raided today.
Police continue to urge any person who suspects they might be living near a drug house to report the matter immediately.
Reasons for suspicion could include strange smells, odd comings and goings, the blinds always being shut, heavy fortification or strange noises through day and night.
Reports can be made to a local police station or through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Raids so far:
· 12 May: The Kraal Drive, Blair Athol, $4.2 million worth of cannabis
· 14 May: Blair Athol Drive, Blair Athol, $1.5 million worth of cannabis
· 14 May: The Kraal Drive, Blair Athol, $1.2 million worth of cannabis
· 15 May: The Kraal Drive, Blair Athol, $1.6 million worth of cannabis
· 16 May: The Kraal Drive, Blair Athol, more than $500,000 worth of cannabis
· 16 May: Mary Brown Place, Blair Athol, more than $500,000 worth of cannabis
· 16 May: St Monica Way, Blair Athol, cannabis being processed.