Tip-off lands huge dope haul

POLICE have seized marijuana plants with a street value of over $70,000 following a tip-off to police.

A 40-year-old man from Lyndhurst has been charged with the cultivation of a prohibited drug and deemed supply following his arrest late Wednesday.

Duty officer with Chifley Local Area Command Inspector Mark Wall said the man was arrested following information received from a member of the public.

Inspector Wall said police from Blayney and Carcoar executed a search warrant on a 60-acre property at Mount MacDonald Road, Lyndhurst on Wednesday afternoon.

Police allege they seized 35 cannabis plants, including 16 which had been grown hydroponically and a further 19 mature plants that were found at various locations around the property.

Inspector Wall said police will further allege they located two-and-a-half-kilograms of dried cannabis, and items related to the cultivation of hydroponic cannabis at the property.

As a result police arrested a 40-year-old Lyndhurst man at the scene and later charged him with the cultivation and deemed supply of a prohibited plant.

Inspector Wall said mature marijuana plants have an estimated street value of around $2000 each, making Wednesday's haul worth over $70,000.

The two-and-a-half kilograms of dried marijuana allegedly found at the scene is worth a further $25,000 on the street, taking the total street value to almost $100,000.

Inspector Wall said the plants seized by police were mature and almost ready for harvest.

A search of the property also located a sophisticated hydroponic set up which included lights and irrigation was found in a cool room.

Inspector Wall said Wednesday's arrest show the importance of timely information given to police by the community, and encouraged anyone with information on illegal activity to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The drugs were destroyed by police yesterday afternoon.