Green thumb prunes cannabis into hedge

It looked like an average Nerang back yard with an above-ground pool and neatly trimmed hedges.

But a closer look at the shrubbery revealed they were actually cannabis plants and that put a new twist on the expression 'cultivating drugs'.

Nerang officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Gary Symons said police yesterday removed 30 healthy and mature plants, some more than 2m tall, with a street value of more than $100,000.

The plants, trimmed and shaped to form a screen near the pool, were growing in tubs, but the thick cannabis hedge along the side fence was planted in the ground.

It was a rare find for police in these days of hydroponics.

Sen-Sgt Symons said police acted on information they had received and raided the rented McLarens Road house about 1pm and quickly found the neat crop.

Sen-Sgt Symons said he had never seen cannabis shaped and trimmed into a hedge in his 25 years in the police service.

Neighbours looked over the fence in amazement as police dug up the manicured crop and removed it to be destroyed.

"They are a lovely couple," said one neighbour. "Who would have thought that hedge was grass? It just looks like an ordinary hedge in a suburban yard."

Sen-Sgt Symons said Nerang residents should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline if they suspected their neighbours were growing illegal crops or 'cooking' illegal drugs.

A 41-year-old Nerang man was charged with drug offences and will appear in court at a later date.

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