Three Malaysians Detained For Cultivating Cannabis In Melbourne

BY NEVILLE DCRUZ MELBOURNE, March 29 (Bernama) -- Three Malaysian nationals were among six people charged with various drug offences following police raids across Melbourne on Tuesday, March 27, which netted cannabis worth US$3.7 million. More than 1,500 cannabis plants were seized from houses in simultaneous morning raids in the suburbs of Dandenong, Springvale, Carrum Downs, Clarinda and Mulgrave, a police media statement said. The Malaysians are aged 42, 38, and 26 and are in immigration detention. Police have charged the 26-year-old man and the 42-year-old man, both from Keysborough, with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis. The 38-year-old man from Springvale was also being charged with cultivating and trafficking cannabis. One of the Malaysians has contacted the Malaysian Consul General here, Dr Mohd Rameez Yahaya soon after his arrest for consulate assistance. Also charged was a 72-year-old man, from Noble Park, for cultivating and trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis and 10 counts of theft. Two women, aged 42 and 40, also faced similar charges. A significant amount of product and equipment believed to be used to cultivate cannabis plants had been seized. -- BERNAMA