A LONG-RUNNING investigation has paid dividends for police after two men accused of cultivating $2.98 million of cannabis plants at a remote property at Euchareena faced court.
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Mario Anthony Loiero, 56, is charged with cultivating 500 cannabis plants as well as supplying 60 kilograms of the drug.
Police will allege the Prairiewood man played a significant role in the cannabis cultivation at a property on Bundalah Road at Euchareena, according to documents the prosecution tendered to the court.
Co-accused Giuseppe Antonio Calarco, 57, also faced Dubbo Local Court on Monday.
He is charged with cultivating 500 cannabis plants.
Detective Chief Inspector Rod Blackman paid tribute to the officers at the heart of the operation.
“What happened on Sunday was the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication by particularly State Crime Command drug squad,” he said.
“Ultimately on Sunday that all came off with a joint executed search warrant with State Crime Command and Orana Local Area Command officers.
“A great result all round.”
On January 18 investigators conducted rural surveillance at the property and allegedly located a cannabis plantation in scrub about 400 metres from a hut.
Investigators allegedly saw a sophisticated automated irrigation and fertiliser system within a greenhouse.
The men applied for bail in Dubbo Local Court on Monday.
Mr Loiero was refused bail.
Mr Calarco was granted bail to live at a Sydney address, report to police daily and not contact the co-accused.
The men will re-appear in court on May 17.
