A MAN caught with $100,000 worth of cannabis at his home has pleaded guilty to cultivating a prohibited drug in Griffith Local Court.
Benjamin Daniel Barbaro fronted court via audio-video link on Tuesday on five charges relating to the May drug bust.
Police seized 48 cannabis plants and 5.3 kilograms of leaf at his Bromfield Street home on the morning of May 14.
Barbaro has pleaded guilty to cultivating a prohibited plant, possessing goods suspected of being stolen and two counts of possessing a prohibited plant.
He pleaded not guilty to supplying a larger than indictable but smaller than commercial quantity of a prohibited plant.
Police had been investigating Barbaro since a warrant for his arrest was issued for cultivation and possession charges in the Byron Bay area.
During the raid, police found a trench in Barbaro's backyard in which he had allegedly tried to conceal the plants.
The case has been adjourned until August 15 for reply and he did not apply for bail, which was formally refused.
The 36-year-old also faced a second lot of drugs-related charges dating back to 2010 during Tuesday's sitting.
Barbaro had initially pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing a prohibited drug, cultivating a prohibited plant and common assault on May 15 but submitted an application to change his plea during his appearance in court last week.
The case was adjourned until August 12 for mention.
