A MELBOURNE couple who were allegedly involved in a sophisticated cannabis grow house in Great Western have pleaded not guilty.
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Thu Hein Doan, 42, and Quang Pham, 46, are facing drug charges, including cultivating and trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis.
Police searched a large shed in Brunel Street, Great Western on December 5 and allegedly found 19 tents full of cannabis plants, in varying growth stages, weighing about 250 kilograms.
Police alleged the 500 cannabis plants were worth about $5 million.
Ms Doan and Mr Pham, both of Cairnlea, faced Horsham Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for a committal hearing.
Police informant Senior Constable Craig Howe told the court that the setup in the grow house was "very sophisticated".
The court heard that police collected DNA evidence from the shed, including a mask that allegedly contained Mr Pham's DNA, and a glove that allegedly contained Ms Doan's DNA.
Other items seized for DNA included a cigarette butt, beer cans, soft drink cans and water bottles.
Ararat Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Malcolm Wineberg also gave evidence at the hearing.
He said the shed was on a property that also contained four other houses.
He alleged he saw Ms Doan and Mr Pham leaving a house on the property on December 5.
Police intercepted the pair shortly afterwards when they were driving in Ararat.
There was no evidence of cannabis in their car.
Police then searched the Great Western property.
The court heard that neither police, nor the neighbours saw anyone coming or going from the grow shed at any time.
Neither Ms Doan or Mr Pham own the Great Western property.
Magistrate Andrew McKenna said there was enough evidence to support a conviction and ordered Ms Doan and Mr Pham to stand trial.
The pair both entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.
They will appear in Horsham County Court for a directions hearing on September 12.
Mr Pham remains in custody, while Ms Doan is on bail.