By ALENA HIGGINS
A MATURE-aged Stanthorpe couple has been charged with a host of drug offences after 32 grams of cannabis they allegedly sent by post was intercepted in southern NSW.
After ongoing investigations, police swooped on a home at Mt Tully Road, Stanthorpe last Thursday, where they uncovered a number of large cannabis plants being grown in a sophisticated hydroponic system.
The midday raid also revealed a quantity of dried cannabis and a variety of paraphernalia used for the production and consumption of dangerous drugs.
Senior Sergeant Mark Ireland, who put the street value of the plants and the package at about $15,000, said there was evidence the drug operation had been scaled back in recent years.
“There were only five plants but they were extremely good quality,” he said of the haul.
“They were some of the better ones I had ever seen grown hydroponically.
“It looked like they had been growing for a substantial amount of time … there was evidence of overhead lighting.”
A 61-year-old man was charged with five drug-related offences, including possessing, producing and supplying dangerous drugs.
His accomplice, a 72-year-old woman, allegedly sent the package, which was destined for Narrandera, about 100km north-west of Wagga Wagga.
She was charged with supplying, and permitting a place to be used for the production of dangerous drugs.
The pair was granted bail to reappear before Stanthorpe Magistrates’ Court in October.
