Four grow ops busted in Adelaide

[elbhar]

date : 22.01.08

source/origin of news : adelaidenow.com.au

 

POLICE have busted a drug syndicate allegedly run by Finks bikies, revealing links to a 'growhouse' with an SANFL player, a former AFL player and manager.

 

Four houses – at Enfield, Blair Athol, Parafield Gardens and Christies Beach – have been raided this month in the latest sweep by detectives from the Organised Crime Investigation Branch, who have been working with the Australian Crime Commission.

Title documents show that the Enfield home, on Jackson Tce, is owned by former Crows midfielder Hayden Skipworth – who lives in Ballarat – and is believed to be under the management of Brenton Hart, step-father to former Crows footballer Ben Hart.

 

Police said today an Enfield man, 60, was arrested on January 15 and charged with complicity in activities connected to cannabis production and dishonestly dealing in documents.

 

It will be alleged he was managing properties on behalf of the owners, but was providing the houses to tenants to specifically grow hydroponic cannabis crops.

 

The first raid, on January 3, at a Blair Athol property uncovered eight plants and about 18kgs of drying cannabis. Two men, from Virginia, 25, and Kilkenny, 23, were arrested and charged with cannabis offences.

 

The same day, houses at Enfield and Parafield Gardens were searched and hydroponic equipment were seized along with 18 plants from the Enfield house and 24 at the Parafield Gardens property.

 

Last Wednesday, a Christies Beach man, 24, was arrested and charged with producing cannabis for sale.

 

Yesterday, two cars, a Toyota Supra and a Holden Commodore, and a Harley Davidson motorcycle, were seized from a fifth property, this time at West Croydon.

 

Superintendent Deane Paynter said police would allege a man, 24, arrested at the West Croydon house was a "hang around" of the Finks bikies and the organiser of the hydroponic operation which saw cannabis grown in SA and freighted to Queensland.

 

"That person is closely associated with the Finks".

 

The Advertiser understands one of the properties was rented by SANFL South Adelaide player Dale Ellis.

 

South Adelaide Football Club officials yesterday said Ellis had contacted them to arrange a meeting with them.

 

Superintendent Paynter said in all but one case, the owners of the houses were unaware their properties were being used as a grow-house.

 

"They were deceived, they were really innocent parties," he said.

 

"What this whole investigation has demonstrated is the propensity of organised motorcycle gangs to involve innocent parties in their activities".

 

There is no suggestion that Ben Hart or Hayden Skipworth had any knowledge of the activities police are investigating.

Edited January 23, 2008 by elbhar