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Drug makers on notice

A Manjimup man will face court on January 3 after a police raid uncovered a big quantity of cannabis and an illegal weapon.

Police searched the property on Friday and seized 67 cannabis plants, cannabis seeds and a crossbow, acting inspector Richard Moore said.

A 58-year-old man has been charged with offences including cultivating and possessing a prohibited drug and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Insp. Moore said while the South West had long been a hot spot for cannabis growers, police were concerned about an increase in amphetamine production.

Two weeks ago police and the organised crime squad searched another property and uncovered a methamphetamine operation, but were unable to gather enough evidence to lay charges.

Manjimup officer in charge Sgt Paul Williams said, with the community’s help, he and his team would continue to target those involved in producing and selling illegal drugs.

“We’ve executed quite a number of warrants over the past couple of months and intend to do that for the foreseeable future as a result of information garnered from the community,” he said.

“I don’t think drug activity is picking up, it’s just being effectively targeted, which is bringing it into the public eye.

“It’s always been a problem.”

Anyone possessing more than 10 cannabis plants could expect to be charged with intent to supply, Sgt Williams said.

Sgt Williams said last week’s raid of 67 plants was one of the biggest seizures in recent times.

“About four weeks ago we got someone with 55 plants, and in the last couple of weeks we got people with similar amounts,” he said.

“Unfortunately it’s nothing out of the ordinary down here, it’s the time of year when people are growing the plants ready for next season’s crop.”