Sophisticated Underground Bunker Used to Grow Weed in Adelaide Discovered By Police

By: Marie Scarci | January 16, 2023

Photo credit: South Australia Police

In a recent police raid of a Coromandel East property, two men were apprehended and charged with an array of crimes including drug offenses, money laundering as well as the alleged theft of electricity.

Police have uncovered an illicit underground cannabis grow-op in Adelaide's south. Two men are now facing charges after the intricate bunker was discovered hidden beneath their property.

On Monday, officers uncovered a hidden entrance to an underground bunker tucked away in the semi-rural suburb of Coromandel East. A remarkable find that has sparked a further investigation into its origins and purpose.

Authorities discovered evidence suggesting large-scale illegal activity. Inside the building, they claim to have uncovered substantial quantities of cash, drugs, and 18 cannabis plants with a hydroponic setup.

Almost a pound and a half of dried cannabis and 35g, of an unknown white powder, suspected to be cocaine were seized. Officers also confiscated hydroponic equipment used as well as stacks of cash.

Two men from Coromandel East were taken into custody at the property. The suspects, aged 53 and 20 years old respectively, are now being detained by police as they investigate what transpired there.

The two individuals have been arrested and charged with a variety of crimes, including cultivating cannabis, theft of electricity from the local utility company, having equipment deemed as illicit by authorities in their possession, and trafficking both cocaine and cannabis. In addition to these charges, they also face allegations related to money laundering.

Photo Credit: South Australia Police

Two men have been accused of having illegal firearms after police discovered two gel blasters in an underground bunker. Although appearing to be genuine weapons, the gadgets shoot out water-based pellets instead – much less dangerous than actual guns but still a punishable offense.

In South Australia, gel blasters are now subject to the same stringent regulations applied to traditional firearms. Individuals must obtain a license and register their ownership with enhanced security measures in place for these novel weapons.

The South Australian police said, “If you have a gel blaster, you have a firearm.”

Two men, whose identities were not released, were denied bail and have court on Tuesday.