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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Nick Bielby

Hunter raid uncovers $8 million worth of cannabis, two men charged

Two men charged after a police raid in the Hunter this week uncovered cannabis with an alleged street value of just under $8 million will remain in custody until they face court again later this year.

Quang Huy Le, 29, and Viet Cuong Do, 24, were each charged with one count of cultivating a prohibited plant greater than or equal to a large commercial quantity (cannabis) on Thursday after detectives who searched an Upper Hunter property allegedly found and seized 2628 cannabis plants, with an estimated potential value of $7.8 million on the streets.

Neither man, who are both residents of the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta, applied for bail when they faced Muswellbrook Local Court on Friday - and it was formally refused.

Thursday's bust came after detectives from the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad set up Strike Force Harthouse last November to investigate the cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.

Strike Force Harthouse detectives executed a warrant at a property on the Golden Highway at Gungal, about 58km south-east of Muswellbrook, early on Thursday morning.

Investigators allege the property was being used for large-scale cannabis cultivation.

Along with the plants, police also allegedly found enough equipment to run 12 industrial-level grow houses.

The 29-year-old and 24-year-old were arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station, where they were charged.

They were refused bail by police before facing court on Friday, where Magistrate Hugh Donnelly adjourned the matter to October 19.

Investigations by the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad are continuing.

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