A POLICE raid on a former tobacco farm west of Mareeba yesterday has kept cannabis potentially worth more than $600,000 off the streets.

Cairns Drug Squad and Dimbulah police swooped on the property on Campbell Rd, Mutchilba, early yesterday morning and uncovered a large-scale drug operation.

Forty-three half-kilogram bags, ready for immediate sale, and 10kg of unpacked cannabis were seized in the operation.

Each bag had a value of $2500 as a bulk sale, which then had the potential to be resold on the street for up to $20 a gram.

A helicopter conducted an aerial search of the property and nearby bushland looking for the harvested crop site and a second crop site.

Last night, police had not found the sites but investigations were continuing.

Acting Det Sen-Sgt Gary Hunter told The Cairns Post two people had been charged with major possession of a dangerous drug and supply of a dangerous drug.

"There were 43 pounds (20kg) packed and ready for distribution and about 20 pounds (10kg) a the rear of the shed, which were remnants attached to plants that had been harvested," he said.

The bulk cannabis was worth more than $100,000 as it was packaged.

"It appears that the good stuff was brought to the shed and rest was just left out the back.

"What we found led us to believe they were growing it on the property and police believe there is another site because the growing site or growing pots were not found."

Det Sen-Sgt Hunter said it was a good bust and a sizable quantity of reasonable "quality leaf and heads" could now be destroyed instead of hitting the streets.

"It was a substantial seizure of drugs destined for the streets," he said.

The two people charged will appear at the Mareeba Court House on June 2.

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