In late 2016, investigators from the State Crime Command’s Drug Squad commenced investigations into cannabis cultivation within Orana Local Area Command.

Following extensive investigations, two men – aged 56 and 57 – were arrested at a property on Bundalah Road, Euchareena, 40km north-east of Molong, about 10.20am on Sunday, March 19.

Shortly after, police from the Drug Squad and Orana Local Area Command executed a search warrant at the property, where they seized 200kg of cannabis in a drying shed, and with the assistance of PolAir, located 720 cannabis plants.

The estimated potential street value of the cannabis is $2.98 million.

Both men were subsequently taken to Dubbo Police Station.

The 56-year-old Prairiewood man was charged with cultivate commercial quantity of cannabis and supply commercial quantity of cannabis.

He was refused bail and appeared at Dubbo Local Court yesterday, Monday, March 20, where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Wednesday, May 17.

The 57-year-old Warragamba man was charged with cultivate a commercial quantity of cannabis.

He was refused bail and appeared at Dubbo Local Court yesterday, where he was granted conditional bail to appear at the same court on Wednesday, May 17.

The plants were inspected by an agronomist from the NSW Department of Primary Industries before being destroyed yesterday Monday, March 20.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to cannabis cultivation to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/