POLICE are calling on the community’s help to identify the owner of 16 cannabis plants found growing in a vacant property in Peel Street.
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Police seized the drugs on Wednesday morning after a member of the public found them growing and alerted authorities.
The plants were taken to Bathurst police station for analysis and destruction.
Chifley local area command duty officer Inspector Andrew Spliet said the plants, which ranged in maturity from about four weeks to four months, were worth somewhere in the vicinity of $15,000.
He said the find was an excellent example of how the police and community can work together to stop the cultivation of illegal drugs.
Inspector Spliet said police are following up investigations and urged anyone who may have seen someone in Peel Street behaving suspiciously to contact police.
He said the culprit, if found, will face a charge of cultivating a prohibited plant, which can carry a five-year jail term.
Inspector Spliet said people can give information about the plants, or any other criminal activity, by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Bathurst police on 6332 8699.
Though information can be left anonymously, Inspector Spliet encouraged the community, wherever possible, to leave contact details in case there are specific questions police need to ask.
He said even when people leave contact details, their identity remains secure.