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Police Seize 1,465 Cannabis Plants Worth $4 Million in Hunter Valley Raids - Hunter Valley, NSW
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Two men have been charged after a series of police raids across Cessnock, Denman, Muswellbrook and Singleton Heights uncovered 1,465 cannabis plants, with police estimating their potential street value at approximatel...
New South Wales Police have seized 1,465 cannabis plants during a series of raids across the Hunter Valley, with two men charged as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged commercial cannabis cultivation.
The investigation began on 21 July 2026, when Hunter Valley detectives and the Hunter Valley Proactive Crime Team executed a search warrant at a property in Cessnock. During the search, officers allegedly discovered an elaborate hydroponic cannabis-growing operation and seized 260 mature cannabis plants, along with seedlings, dried cannabis and hydroponic equipment.
Further inquiries were conducted with assistance from the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad under Operation Cages, a police investigation targeting suspected drug-related activity.
On 29 September, detectives executed additional search warrants at properties in Cessnock and Denman. At the Denman property, officers allegedly located 280 cannabis plants and discovered that the premises had been illegally connected to the electricity grid.
Two men, aged 36 and 56, were arrested and taken to police stations in Cessnock and Muswellbrook. The 36-year-old was charged with five offences, including allegedly organising or assisting drug premises, cultivating a commercial quantity of a prohibited plant, enhanced indoor cultivation for commercial purposes and using electricity without authorisation. The 56-year-old was charged with three offences, including cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and enhanced indoor cultivation for commercial purposes.
Both men were refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 2 on 30 September. They were formally refused bail and are due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on 25 November 2026. NSW Police
Police continued the investigation with further searches on 1 October, executing three search warrants at properties in Muswellbrook and Singleton Heights. Officers allegedly discovered another 925 cannabis plants across the properties. Police also alleged that all three homes had been illegally connected to the electricity grid.
The latest seizures brought the total number of cannabis plants recovered during the investigation to 1,465. Police estimated the plants had a potential street value of approximately $4 million. All seized plants have been destroyed.
The investigation highlights the role of hydroponic equipment and indoor growing systems in the alleged cultivation operation. Police have not released further details about the suspected distribution network or whether additional arrests are expected.
Operation Cages remains ongoing, and investigators are continuing their inquiries into the alleged offences.
The charges are allegations, and the accused men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The upcoming court proceedings will provide an opportunity for the allegations to be considered through the legal process.
CannabisPolicePlantsInvestigationCommercial
New South Wales Police have seized 1,465 cannabis plants during a series of raids across the Hunter Valley, with two men charged as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged commercial cannabis cultivation.
The investigation began on 21 July 2026, when Hunter Valley detectives and the Hunter Valley Proactive Crime Team executed a search warrant at a property in Cessnock. During the search, officers allegedly discovered an elaborate hydroponic cannabis-growing operation and seized 260 mature cannabis plants, along with seedlings, dried cannabis and hydroponic equipment.
Further inquiries were conducted with assistance from the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad under Operation Cages, a police investigation targeting suspected drug-related activity.
On 29 September, detectives executed additional search warrants at properties in Cessnock and Denman. At the Denman property, officers allegedly located 280 cannabis plants and discovered that the premises had been illegally connected to the electricity grid.
Two men, aged 36 and 56, were arrested and taken to police stations in Cessnock and Muswellbrook. The 36-year-old was charged with five offences, including allegedly organising or assisting drug premises, cultivating a commercial quantity of a prohibited plant, enhanced indoor cultivation for commercial purposes and using electricity without authorisation. The 56-year-old was charged with three offences, including cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and enhanced indoor cultivation for commercial purposes.
Both men were refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 2 on 30 September. They were formally refused bail and are due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on 25 November 2026. NSW Police
Police continued the investigation with further searches on 1 October, executing three search warrants at properties in Muswellbrook and Singleton Heights. Officers allegedly discovered another 925 cannabis plants across the properties. Police also alleged that all three homes had been illegally connected to the electricity grid.
The latest seizures brought the total number of cannabis plants recovered during the investigation to 1,465. Police estimated the plants had a potential street value of approximately $4 million. All seized plants have been destroyed.
The investigation highlights the role of hydroponic equipment and indoor growing systems in the alleged cultivation operation. Police have not released further details about the suspected distribution network or whether additional arrests are expected.
Operation Cages remains ongoing, and investigators are continuing their inquiries into the alleged offences.
The charges are allegations, and the accused men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The upcoming court proceedings will provide an opportunity for the allegations to be considered through the legal process.
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