A cannabis crop found at Toolamba is the largest hydroponic operation uncovered in Victoria a court has heard.
Thanh Nguyen, 47, unsuccessfully applied for bail in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 11.
He is charged with cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis, trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis, possessing material for trafficking, theft, possessing an unregistered handgun, and possession of cartridge ammunition without a licence.
Police informant Senior Constable Sarah Roberts told the court when police searched the Waugh Rd property on February 9, they found Mr Nguyen and four co-accused wearing work attire and standing at the entrance to a 3200 sq m greenhouse which contained a large number of cannabis plants at differing maturity stages.
All five men allegedly attempted to run from police, with two stopped quickly and three arrested after a short chase, Sen Constable Roberts said.
She said when police searched the property they found more than 8500 cannabis plants, weighing in at about five tonnes, in two greenhouses, and a packing shed.
The court heard the packing shed, which had been converted into a nursery, contained 2400 cannabis seedlings and a purpose-built drying room.
Sen Constable Roberts said police seized an unregistered handgun, five unlicensed 410 ammunition cartridges and $4560 in cash spread over several rooms at two houses on the property.
There was also an electrical bypass located outside the packing shed to power grow lights in the shed and greenhouses with electricity stolen from Powercor, Sen Constable Roberts said.
Police allege it to be the largest hydroponic cannabis set-up in Victorian history.
The cash found is believed to be the proceeds of crime, Sen Constable Roberts said.
She said Mr Nguyen and the co-accused were believed to be living at the Toolamba property at the time of their arrests, however Mr Nguyen gave his address to police as Albanvale, in Melbourne.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Chris Cole said Mr Nguyen posed an unacceptable bail risk of obstructing justice, interfering with witnesses, committing further offences or failing to appear on bail.
Mr Nguyen’s solicitor Laurence Waugh said the only evidence police had was that his client was present at the property in high-vis gear at the time of the search.
He said Mr Nguyen should be granted bail for a combination of reasons including that he had no criminal history, it was his first time in custody, and long delays in matters proceeding to trial.
He also told the court his client would be more vulnerable in prison because he spoke little to no English.
The defence supplied a Melbourne bail address but the magistrate did not find it suitable.
Magistrate Ian Watkins denied Mr Nguyen bail, saying he could not “form the view it is not a strong case”.
He also said he did not think he would spend longer on remand than in custody if found guilty.
Mr Watkins also said Mr Nguyen posed an unacceptable risk if interfering with witnesses.
Mr Nguyen was remanded in custody to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court in June.
Co-accused Vinh Quang Nguyen, 27, from Toolamba, Quoc Vinh Tran, 32, from St Albans, Thai Son Dang, 32, from Braybrook, and Duy Duc Dao, 27, from Sunshine also appeared briefly in court on Friday.
All four have been charged with the same charges as Mr Nguyen and were remanded in custody to face court in June.