Police executed a search warrant at connected properties on Brunel Street in Great Western at about 9am on Wednesday morning.

“We found a cannabis crop house which had a quite sophisticated set up,” Ararat Sergeant Paul Covey said.

“We estimate there was about 470 mature cannabis plants as well as probably a couple of hundred thousand dollars worth of equipment which has been set up for quite some time.”

A man and a woman were arrested and charged in relation to the search on Wednesday.

“Two people were seen leaving the location prior to warrants being executed. They were taken into custody and remanded overnight,” Sergeant Covey said.

“They were charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and appeared at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday).”

It is the fourth cannabis crop house police have stopped since mid-October, with three houses being raided in Stawell throughout October and November.

Sergeant Covey said police are making inquiries if the crop house in Great Western is connected to those in Stawell.

He said to stop another crop house, especially one of this size, is a big win for police and the community.

“We have taken a great deal of drugs off the streets which will have a significant impact on the drug trade,” he said.

“We are finding a lot of these houses are popping up in regional Victoria.

“We rely on people providing information to police. If they suspect any of this activity they should contact their local police or Crime Stoppers.”

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