The men, aged 59 and 44, have been charged with with commercial cultivation of cannabis, supply of cannabis, and one has been charged with possession of a prohibited firearm. 

The pair appeared before Wagga Local Court on January 5 and were formally refused bail.

The 44-year-old man will appear before Deniliquin Local Court via video link on January 8. The 59-year-old will front Griffith Local Court on January 17.

In a video posted to social media, Local Area Commander Detective Superintendent Michael Rowan commented on the importance of working with the community to combat these issues.

He also encouraged anyone with information to come forward and speak with police. Information about the drug crop is believed to have come from a member of the community. .

“I often talk about the assistance police around Griffith and the wider LAC get from members of the community. Today, we have the result of that,” he said. 

“Anybody who has any information about the the supply or manufacture of prohibited drugs, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, please let us know.”

Earlier:

Police have arrested and charged two men after allegedly seizing more than 300 cannabis plants in the Griffith area on Thursday afternoon. 

The arrests were made as part of Strike Force Masonary, which was set up by Griffith detectives to “identify and eradicate outdoor cannabis plantations”. 

Thursday’s operation was carried out in conjunction with the State Crime Command Firearms and Drug Squad. 

Shortly after, a search warrant was carried out at a Griffith residence. In addition to the 1.69 kilograms of cannabis leaf, police also seized a .22 calibre shortened rifle.

In addition to the 1.69 kilograms of cannabis leaf, police say they also seized a .22 calibre shortened rifle.

As a result of the find, two men aged 59 and 44 were arrested on site.