By ANEEKA SIMONIS
TWO hundred cannabis plants were seized from a Pakenham home last week.
About 8.30am on Thursday 22 January, six Pakenham police members removed the marijuana plants which were growing throughout almost every bedroom at the rented Cascade Way home.
Sergeant Tommy Pietrosanto said the drugs were discovered by the owner’s real estate agent during an inspection.
“It came to our attention via the owner of the premises. We believe the reason for inspection was because they hadn’t been paying for some time,” Sgt Pietrosanto said of the recent renters who are suspected by police as using fraudulent identities to lease the Fallingwaters home.
“Investigations are still underway to identify the offender/s.”
Sgt Pietrosanto said police were aware of the situation the night before and had a crime scene guard on the scene overnight before enough resources were available to enter the home.
“The plants were extensive through the whole house. All bedrooms were being used and we can imagine there is a lot of damage through the house,” he said.
A nearby resident who witnessed the seizure said he had no idea he lived near a crop house and commended police on their swift reaction.
“They were really discreet and didn’t have cars swarming around everywhere,” the witness said.
He said the growing ease of renting contributed to the issue.
“It’s getting more and more common to see as you don’t need as many checks to rent a house as you used to,” the witness said.
Sgt Pietrosanto said home owners who lease out their properties needed to be aware of the issue and maintain regular contact with their real estate agent.
Police have confirmed at least one renter was male.
