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AUGUSTA, Busselton and Bunbury police have seized more than 400 cannabis plants from five crops on crown land in Augusta this morning. About 450 mature plants were seized in bush crops near Scott River, with 19 plants seized from one plot alone, filling more than 80 large hessian bags. In a press conference this afternoon, Bunbury Police Acting Inspector Mick Hayes said the plantations were more than likely self seeding and left alone in a favourable environment to grow. "They have probably cleared a block of land and left the plant to their own devices," he said. "The plants stand out well because everything is dead at this time of year. "With more than a meter of rain each year in the South West, they are ideal conditions." WATCH: Hear from Acting Inspector Mick Hayes and see footage of Wednesday's raids. He said police would be following any leads, including looking for finger prints on items left behind but said it would be almost impossible to tell who was behind the crops. "There is a link between drug crimes and property crimes so we will be following all leads," he said. He said there was plans to search other areas including Waroona, Pemberton and Wonnerup. Earlier, Augusta police constable Drew Clark said the crops were brought to police attention after helicopter sightings and tip-offs from the community. "Last week police seized $664,000 from bush crops in the Augusta district," Constable Clark said. "By the end of this week we are estimating over one million dollars worth of cannabis will be seized." Bunbury Police First Class Constable Michelle Widmer said police believed the owners of the crops were local due to the planters knowledge of the land. Busselton Police Senior Sergeant Steve Principe said two officers from his station attended the drug seize. "It was a great result this morning with a lot less plants now out there which would have had a positive effect on the problem of drugs in the community," Senior Sergeant Steve Principe said.

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