POLICE are warning landlords to keep an eye on their tenants after more than 1100 cannabis plants were seized from nine Wyndham houses.
Drug raids were carried out on seven houses in Truganina and two properties in Tarneit on July 14 and 17, with police uncovering 1177 plants. The arrest of a Deer Park man, 31, outside a house in Kondalilla Drive, Truganina on July 12 sparked the raids. On that day, police discovered hydroponic labs at four addresses in Kondalilla Drive and Clearwater Rise Parade, Truganina.
They then issued search warrants for houses in Carisbrook Circuit, Jourama Road and Tilwinda Place in Truganina and Rose Grange Boulevard and Ingot Avenue in Tarneit last Tuesday.
The Deer Park man was charged with four offences including cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and possessing a drug of dependence. A man, 41, and woman, 29, from StAlbans were charged with cultivation and trafficking of cannabis. All three have faced court and have been remanded in custody.
Senior Constable Frank Cuce said police believed most of the houses were rental properties.
“Our message is that if you are renting [out] a property get as many details about the tenants as possible,” he said.
“Do as many character checks as possible.
“If you are going through a real estate agent, have regular inspections.”
The raids follow a $2.8million drug bust in Truganina and Tarneit in April.
As reported by the Weekly, police seized more than 700 mature cannabis plants from three houses as part of a massive operation which smashed one of Victoria’s largest drug syndicates.
More than 52000 plants were discovered in properties across the north-west and western suburbs.
Senior Constable Cuce said the raids did not indicate there had been a recent spike in drug activity in the city.
