Men seen fleeing into bush after police bust $10 million cannabis crop

Friday, 13 February 2026 13:04

Three of the men allegedly jumped into a nearby irrigation channel in their desperate attempts to flee.

Dramatic footage has captured the moment five men appeared to flee police as officers raided a suspected $10 million cannabis growing operation in Victoria's north-west.

The foreign nationals were found on a 324-acre property police were raiding in Milnes Bridge, near Kerang, on Tuesday.

Ten large greenhouses were uncovered by officers on the rural acreage, which allegedly contained 4700 cannabis plants.

Victorian police have busted an alleged 10-million-dollar cannabis growing operation in the state's north west.

The five men attempted to flee from the property on foot, sprinting across the bush and jumping a fence, police allege.

Three of the men allegedly jumped into a nearby irrigation channel in their desperate attempts to flee.

Officers eventually caught up with four of the men and arrested them.

The men – a 39-year-old, 41-year-old and two 51-year-olds were charged with cultivating and trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis.

Three of the men jumped into a nearby irrigation channel in a bid to continue their escape, police allege.

They faced Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and were remanded to appear again on 13 May.

A fifth man remains at large.

Forensic specialists spent three days dismantling the illicit crop houses.

The plants, which weighed more than 2.5 tonnes altogether, will be destroyed following forensic examination.

Ten large greenhouses were uncovered on the property near Kerang.

Police also seized electronic devices, CCTV hardware and items allegedly used to bypass electricity.

Detective Acting Inspector Matt Pascoe called the alleged cannabis bust "a win for community safety".

"We know the cultivation and trafficking of drugs is what fuels organised crime groups," Pascoe said.

"Police remain committed to targeting those in the production of illicit drugs and those involved in this activity should know we have you in our sights.

"This investigation remains ongoing and we implore anyone with information to come forward to police."

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