Share and Follow
Authorities discovered foreign nationals on a sprawling 324-acre estate during a police operation in Milnes Bridge, near Kerang, on Tuesday.
As officers swept through the rural property, they reportedly uncovered ten expansive greenhouses housing approximately 4,700 cannabis plants.
According to police reports, five men attempted to escape the scene on foot, dashing through the bushland and scaling a fence in their bid to evade capture.
In their frantic escape, three of the individuals allegedly plunged into a nearby irrigation channel.
Law enforcement officers eventually apprehended four of the men, leading to their arrests.
The men – a 39-year-old, 41-year-old and two 51-year-olds were charged with cultivating and trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis.
They faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and were remanded to appear again on 13 May.
A fifth man remains at large.
Forensic specialists spent three days dismantling the illicit crop houses.
The plants, which weighed more than 2.5 tonnes altogether, will be destroyed following forensic examination.
Police also seized electronic devices, CCTV hardware and items allegedly used to bypass electricity.
Detective Acting Inspector Matt Pascoe called the alleged cannabis bust “a win for community safety”.
“We know the cultivation and trafficking of drugs is what fuels organised crime groups,” Pascoe said.
“Police remain committed to targeting those in the production of illicit drugs and those involved in this activity should know we have you in our sights.
“This investigation remains ongoing and we implore anyone with information to come forward to police.”
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.