Binningup raids upset drug syndicate supply

A sophisticated drug syndicate has been disrupted and big quantities of cannabis, methamphetamine and MDMA taken off the streets following two drug busts in Binningup.

Australind police and Bunbury Detectives seized 180 cannabis plants, cannabis butter and packaged cannabis leaves at two houses in the beachside town.

Ammunition for a high-powered rifle and quantities of cash were also seized in the raid.

Australind police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Mark Smith said the raids were part of a broader investigation and had “significantly disrupted” a major South West drug syndicate.

“These are houses that have been set up purely for the cultivation and sale of illicit drugs,” he said.

“The intent of these grow houses is to make as much money as possible through the production of cannabis.

“These operations have been disrupted and closed down.”

Three Binningup residents have been arrested on a variety of drug charges.

Sen. Sgt Smith said police had identified the supply chain from the alleged “commercial-level” operation although there was more work to be done.

He also had a clear message for drug dealers.

“Police will be knocking on your door and we will dismantle and disrupt your operations,” he said.

“These types of grow houses go far beyond personal use. They are commercial-level production lines for cannabis, which bring nothing but pain and misery into our communities.”

Sen. Sgt Smith said police saw the significant impact of this “misery” far too often.

“It is common when we are executing drug warrants to see adults using meth and cannabis openly in front of young children,” he said.

“It’s heartbreaking to see babies and children exposed to this. This is the type of dysfunction we’re dealing with.”

He said information and community tip-offs to help disrupt the supply of illicit drugs was encouraging.

“Our communities are supporting policing actions with information and these are the results” he said,” Sen. Sgt Smith said