A man will face court today charged after a large hydroponic cannabis set up was allegedly discovered in Newcastle yesterday afternoon.
About 1.45pm (Thursday 26 February 2026), police attended a warehouse on Newton Street, New Lambton, to execute a search warrant as part of an ongoing investigation.
At the warehouse, officers from the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad and Northern Operations Support Group allegedly located a large hydroponic cannabis set up.
As a result of the search, officers allegedly located and seized a total of 1,118 cannabis plants, and $1,170 cash.
The plants ranged from 20cm to 2m tall, and have an estimated potential street value of $2,236,000.
A 51-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station.
There he was charged with three offences,
- Knowingly take part – cultivate greater than or equal to large commercial quantity prohibited plant
- Divert/use electricity for generating etc system without authority, and
- Deal with property proceeds of crime (less than $100,000).
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Friday 27 February 2026).
