Carpet Muncher
07-26-2006, 09:06 AM
From: AAP
July 18, 2006
FOUR people arrested after the discovery of a large cannabis crop in Sydney face new, tougher penalties for growing hydroponic marijuana.
Drug squad officers raided four houses in St Ives, in Sydney's north, about 6.30am (AEST) today, police said.
Hundreds of cannabis plants were found in the four houses just metres from boy scout and girl guide halls.
A 53-year-old woman and two men, aged 23 and 24, were arrested at one of the properties.
Meanwhile, Queensland Police co-operating with their NSW colleagues arrested a 26-year-old man on the Gold Coast.
Police say all four are helping with inquiries.
New penalties covering the commercial cultivation of hydroponic cannabis took effect in NSW on July 14.
The laws recognise hydroponic cannabis as a much more potent form of marijuana, that it is linked to mental illness, and is often grown by organised crime syndicates.
Under the laws, the quantity for a "commercial quantity" of hydroponic cannabis was reduced from 250 plants to 50.
A "large commercial quantity" was reduced from 1000 plants to 200.
Custodial sentences for hydroponic cannabis cultivation include maximums of 15 years jail for a commercial quantity and 25 years for a large commercial quantity.
OUCH!
July 18, 2006
FOUR people arrested after the discovery of a large cannabis crop in Sydney face new, tougher penalties for growing hydroponic marijuana.
Drug squad officers raided four houses in St Ives, in Sydney's north, about 6.30am (AEST) today, police said.
Hundreds of cannabis plants were found in the four houses just metres from boy scout and girl guide halls.
A 53-year-old woman and two men, aged 23 and 24, were arrested at one of the properties.
Meanwhile, Queensland Police co-operating with their NSW colleagues arrested a 26-year-old man on the Gold Coast.
Police say all four are helping with inquiries.
New penalties covering the commercial cultivation of hydroponic cannabis took effect in NSW on July 14.
The laws recognise hydroponic cannabis as a much more potent form of marijuana, that it is linked to mental illness, and is often grown by organised crime syndicates.
Under the laws, the quantity for a "commercial quantity" of hydroponic cannabis was reduced from 250 plants to 50.
A "large commercial quantity" was reduced from 1000 plants to 200.
Custodial sentences for hydroponic cannabis cultivation include maximums of 15 years jail for a commercial quantity and 25 years for a large commercial quantity.
OUCH!