Police mounted a major drug bust at several St Lucia residences near the University of Queensland, executing search warrants at four properties on Sir Fred Schonell Drive and The Esplanade.[1] Officers from the Organised Crime Investigation Unit and the Indooroopilly Criminal Investigation Bureau seized about 750 marijuana plants, 10 kilograms of marijuana drying in bags, $15,000 in cash, cars believed to be the proceeds of crime, and hydroponic equipment valued at $70,000.[1]
In one house on Sir Fred Schonell Drive the entire upstairs level had been converted for marijuana production, with blacked-out windows, lights, fans and a working hydroponic system.[1] Detective Inspector Mark Ainsworth called it an extravagant hydroponic setup run by an organised group involved in manufacturing and distributing hydroponic cannabis.[1] Workers from the power company Energex inspected the premises to check whether the group had tapped into the local power supply, which police said was very high.[1]
Police detained eight people in the haul, all of Vietnamese origin.[1] One man was charged with drug importation, trafficking, and production of cannabis and amphetamines, and a second with possessing cannabis and producing a dangerous drug; both were held in custody for the Brisbane Magistrates Court the next day while the other six were still assisting police.[1]
