Police seized and destroyed more than 130,000 cannabis plants and over 280 kg of dried cannabis in a six-month, nationwide operation targeting growers and dealers, results announced on 18 July 2012.[1][2] Operation National targeted indoor growers and dealers operating out of drug-dealing houses, running alongside that year’s National Cannabis and Crime Operation, Operation Kelly, which used fixed-wing aircraft to spot outdoor crops during the growing season.[1][2] All 12 police districts ran coordinated operations, the first nationally collated results of their kind.[1][2]
What was seized and who was arrested
The operations resulted in 2,573 arrests.[1][2] Police located 280 kg of dried cannabis, estimated by police at $5.6 million in value, and destroyed 130,385 plants and seedlings, whose potential street value at maturity police put at up to $130 million.[1][2] There were 327 firearms seized from drug houses and $675,533 in cash, with houses, cars, bank accounts, a boat and investments also restrained under proceeds-of-crime law.[1][2] Police said 248 children were found present in drug-dealing houses during Operation National, with high-risk cases notified to child services.[1][2]
