Hundreds of cannabis plants seized in Melbourne

Three people have been arrested and a haul of more than 760 cannabis plants seized after a nine-month investigation in Melbourne's south-east.

The investigation began on December 1 last year, when detectives allegedly discovered a hydroponic set-up at a Peter Court address in Narre Warren.

Police seized 314 cannabis plants there, but made no arrests.

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On August 24 this year, police carried out another search warrant at a Hawkseye Way, Cranbourne East property, where another hydroponic set-up was located, with 264 plants seized.

The investigation continued until September 30, when detectives arrived at a property in Abayo Crescent, Cranbourne South.

Police allegedly found 185 cannabis plants there, along with three men.

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Two of the men are alleged to have fled from police, scaling the fences of neighbouring homes, before being arrested shortly after.

A 27-year-old man has been charged with a range of drug offences. Police will allege the Seabrook man was responsible for the Cranbourne East and Cranbourne South grow houses.

Another 27-year-old man, from Noble Park, will be alleged to be connected to the Narre Warren grow house discovered last December.

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A 28-year-old man from St Albans has also been charged. Police claim he was connected to the grow house in Cranbourne South.

Police will also allege a 27-year-old male from Noble Park arrested on 30 September was connected to the hydroponic setup uncovered at the Peter Court, Narre Warren address on 1 December last year.

He has been charged with a number of offences, including cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis, trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis, and theft of power. He has been remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court at a later date.

Another male, aged 28 from St Albans, has been charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis, trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis, and theft of power in connection to the alleged crop house in Cranbourne South. He has been remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court a later date.

Quotes attributable to Inspector Melissa Webbers:

"We make absolutely no apologies for targeting those cultivating or manufacturing drugs.

"The cultivation of cannabis has a number of dire consequences for the community, including financially funding further criminal activity, road trauma caused by impaired drivers, and flow-on mental health impacts.

"We seek the public's continued assistance by contacting police if they observe or hear any suspicious behaviour such as the covering or blacking out of windows, strong plant smells and unusual vehicle or pedestrian movement."