BENALLA police seized two cannabis plantations and a large number of morphine-based tablets in raids in and around Tatong last week.

Police estimate the street value of the plants to be about $100,000.

Manager of the Benalla police service area, Insp Frank Johnson, said a man, 27, and a woman, 21, both from Mansfield, were arrested in the raid.

“They were both charged with trafficking a drug of dependence and cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and other related charges,” Insp Johnson said.

“The other charges included smoking and use of cannabis, trafficking morphine, and receiving stolen goods.”

Benalla police executed a search warrant on a property in Jones Road, Tatong on Thursday, March 8.

About 48 cannabis plants were seized in the raid, as well as equipment used to grow the crop.

Most of the plants were in excess of 2.4m in height and were three weeks away from being harvested.

A further warrant was then executed at a private address in nearby Goughs Bay where another cannabis crop was located.

It consisted of about 25 cannabis plants, hydroponic growing equipment and other material associated with growing and selling cannabis.

The couple have both been bailed to appear at the Mansfield Magistrates Court today for a preliminary hearing.

The matter will ultimately be heard and determined in the County Court due to the serious nature of the charges.

The drug searches were the culmination of a six-week drug operation carried out by Benalla and Mansfield police which was sparked from information provided from members of the local community.