Landowner claims he didn't know $20m cannabis crop was growing on his property
The landowner of a “large-scale bush crop” of cannabis has told the officers who raided his property he had no idea his land was being used to grow the drugs.
Mackay police found more than 8,000 marijuana plants on the property on four large areas, in the mountains of Calen, in Central Queensland, on Wednesday.
Two Bucasia men have been charged with drug offences after police executed a search warrant at the property, where the pair were allegedly cultivating the crops.
Police spent Thursday at the property destroying dismantling the crops, with a street value estimated at more than $20 million.
The property owner was not aware his land was being used to grow cannabis, police said.
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Detective Inspector Bruce Duck told 7 News the owner rented out the land.
"There's no information that we've got, that the owner of the property and the two persons that have been charged are linked at all," Mr Duck said.
The men, aged 72 and 37, who were charged with one count each of producing dangerous drugs, were expected to appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court Thursday.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.
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