Police operation nets cannabis worth $2.73m

March 5, 2011 - 1:36PM

About $2.73 million in cannabis has been seized by police during a five-day cannabis eradication program on the north coast of Sydney, Australia.

Strike Force Unwin - which includes detectives from the Drug Squad's Cannabis Team - began on Monday February 28 and ended on Friday March 10 with police targeting various areas including Piggabeen, Chillingham and surrounding areas.

During the week 1365 cannabis plants were found and seized by police during the operation.

Police will conduct a number of similar raids over the next few months in an effort to target cannabis cultivation.

"You won't know where or when we'll strike, but we've got your crops in our sights," Drug Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham said.

"Our aim is to detect and destroy cannabis crops across the state.

"Whether it's a semi-rural crop or on a steep mountainside in a remote part of the state, there's a very high chance police will find it. If you think you're safe growing cannabis then think again," the detective said.

The NSW Police Cannabis Eradication Program has been running since the mid-1980s.

To date, Strike Force Unwin officers have seized plants with a total estimated potential street value of $24.5 million.