A COUNTY Court trial has opened in Melbourne for a man who allegedly cultivated a commercial quantity of cannabis in Kangaroo Flat.
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Craig Hamilton Wells, 47, appeared in court on Thursday after he pleaded not guilty to one count of cultivating a commercial quantity of a narcotic plant and one charge of theft.
The prosecution alleged between March 28, 2019, and July 4, 2019, Mr Wells cultivated a commercial quantity of cannabis in a Kangaroo Flat property.
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It was also alleged that Mr Wells stole electricity from Energy Australia.
Bendigo Sergeant Grant Thompson gave evidence to the County Court on Thursday.
He told the magistrate he was one of the Central Victorian Response Unit officers who executed a search warrant at the Longmore Street address on July 4, 2019.
Sergeant Thompson said Mr Wells answered the front door and allowed the police to come inside.
The sergeant said when he entered the property, there was a "strong smell of cannabis emanating from the house".
Sergeant Thompson said as he moved through the property, he observed cannabis plants growing in the rooms in a hydroponic cultivation system.
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The sergeant said Mr Wells was cooperative with police and did not attempt to flee or resist arrest.
Sergeant Thompson said the 47-year-old informed officers there was a power switch in the roof above the bathroom.
The sergeant said Powercor attended the property about an hour later and found an electrical bypass in the roof of the house.
Sergeant Thompson said along with the commercial quantity of cannabis, police found $1000 in cash left in the loungeroom of the property.
The sergeant told the court Mr Wells informed him there was another $1000 in cash in a box near the light switch in the kitchen.
He said police found the cash in a brown paper bag in the location Mr Wells described.
The County Court trial will continue on Friday. It is due to finish next week.
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