Following extensive investigations, Drug and Firearms Squad detectives with the assistance of officers attached to the Manning/Great Lakes Police District, Northern Region Regional Enforcement Squad (RES) and the Dog Unit, commenced a two-day operation at a property at Minimbah about 7am last Thursday, October 22.

A crime scene search warrant was executed where 5593 cannabis plants were seized along with 39 pounds of dried cannabis, worth a combined total of $16.9 million.

Police arrested six men, all Vietnamese nationals, including a 31-year-old permanent resident, a 41-year-old who is unlawfully in Australia, a 23-year-old and 27-year-old both currently on student visas and a 38-year-old and a 44-year-old both currently on bridging visas.

The group were taken to Taree Police Station where they were all charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable) and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The following day, October 23, investigators executed two simultaneous crime scene search warrants at properties at Melinga and Moorland and seized 7760 cannabis plants.

Drug and Firearms Squad Commander Detective Superintendent John Watson

A further eight men were arrested, also all Vietnamese nationals, including a 31-year-old man permanent resident, three men who are unlawfully in Australia aged 24, 23 and 22, two men on student visas aged 22 and 27 and two men on bridging visas aged 24 and 23.

The group were taken to Taree Police Station where they were all charged with cultivate prohibited plant (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

All the men arrested over the two-day operation, were refused bail and appeared at Taree Local Court.

The matter of each man's visa status has been referred to the Department of Home Affairs.

Drug and Firearms Squad Commander Detective Superintendent John Watson said the seizure was one of the most significant in Australian history.

"Over the two days, 14 offenders were arrested, and more than 13,000 plants were seized with an estimated street value of over $40 million," Det Supt Watson said.

"As far as cannabis seizures go, we have not seen one this big since the 1970s'.

'The biggest difference is that in 1975 outdoor crops were seasonal, so criminal groups were restricted to one crop a year, whereas these grow houses are weather controlled enabling the harvest of new plants every 12 weeks or so."

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the operation has successfully dismantled a number of organised syndicates.

'We know these criminal groups have no regard for the community and the NSW Government will continue to support NSW Police to shut down their operations at all levels' Mr Elliott said.