The man at the heart of WA’s largest cannabis bust, which would have sold for more than $17 million on the streets, has admitted his part in the massive crop — but is disputing that he was at the top end of the gang who grew it.

Nam Van Truong, 31, was arrested after police discovered two huge greenhouses stuffed with plants at the rural property at Red Gully, 130km north of Perth, in October. His wife Thuy Thi Dinh, 29, was also arrested.

Camera Icon Organised Crime Squad detectives dismantled a significant commercial cannabis growing operation at a property north of Gingin. Credit: WA Police

They were stopped at Perth Airport as they prepared to board a flight to Adelaide, almost two weeks after the 7567 plants were found.

In the District Court yesterday, Truong pleaded guilty to a single count of cultivating cannabis for sale or supply, instantly making him one of the biggest dope producers in the State’s history.

But how high he was in the hierarchy will have to be decided by a judge after Truong denied texts on his phone proved he was arranging the collection of workers who were tending the crop at the farm.

Authorities were told the property was used to grow cucumbers.