Six people have already been charged – one accused of growing close to 1500 plants – and police have warned more high-profile arrests are expected. A specialist helicopter with a team of police from the state drug squad and the Griffith Local Area Command scoured properties on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, seizing about 2000 mature plants, more than 30kg of dried cannabis, $20,000 cash, firearms and hydroponics equipment.

In the biggest marijuana bust in recent years, 20 officers, a dog squad and a radio electronics unit searched Farm 1628, Myall Park Road, Beelbangera on Wednesday morning, uncovering 1494 mature cannabis plants among grape vines.

Nicholas Nader, 31, of McNabb Crescent, Griffith was charged with cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis and was refused bail at Griffith Court yesterday.

The other accused were granted bail and will appear in Griffith Local Court on April 28.

Other charges included:

-a 40-year-old Yoogali man charged with cultivating an indictable quantity of cannabis (between 50 and 250 plants)

- a 47-year-old Hanwood man charged with cultivating an indictable quanity of cannabis

- a 60-year-old and 59-year-old husband and wife from Tabbita and their 38-year-old son charged on a range of offences, including cultivating, supplying and possessing a prohibited drug and dealing in the proceeds of crime.

The majority of plants were found growing outdoors but a number of hydroponic set-ups were also discovered.

The operation focused on Griffith, Rank-ins Springs, Tabbita, Darlington Point and the surrounding national and state forests.

Griffith crime manager, Detective Inspector Paul Smith, said tip-offs from the public had been pivotal in making the operation a success.

“The public’s tips and leads have proved vital in making these arrests and seizures occur,” Det Insp Smith said.

“I strongly urge anyone with information concerning drugs or other criminal activity to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

“This was only a short operation and no doubt there is a larger amount in Griffith and in country NSW.

“It’s just a matter of receiving information from the public that enables us to detect it.”

Det Insp Smith warned similar operations would be conducted in the future.

The Area News was not able to report on the matter until today due to operational sensitivities.