By ANEEKA SIMONIS
POLICE have arrested a further two Vietnamese men over a large-scale cannabis operation with known links to a separate Vietnamese-run growhouse busted a week earlier.
On Wednesday 11 November, police raided a Hound Court, Pakenham property – discovering 188 marijuana plants.
Two Vietnamese men aged 22 and 23 were charged with drug trafficking and cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis in addition to other charges.
The men, who are unlawful non-citizens, have been remanded in custody to appear in court in February next year.
Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Leading Senior Constable Trudy Neylan confirmed the busted crop house is linked to a separate Vietnamese-led cannabis operation uncovered in Pakenham a week earlier.
On Friday 6 November, police detected more than 150 crops from a home in Salvia Avenue, Pakenham.
A 21-year-old Vietnamese man and a 32-year-old Vietnamese man were charged with drug trafficking and cultivating an illicit substance in commercial quantities.
They remain under remand.
Leading Senior Constable Neylan said both growhouses operated under a similar set up which included intricate lighting and wiring systems.
She could not confirm whether the male offenders were part of a larger organised crime syndicate.
CIU Detective Senior Sergeant Trevor Smith said police were investigating a possible link between the two raided drug houses with another large-scale operation uncovered in Pakenham in September.
A 19-year-old Vietnamese woman was charged in relation to the Gallery Way crophouse where 230 cannabis plants were seized.
Police are still appealing for a separate Vietnamese man and Vietnamese woman wanted in relation to the drug operation.
