LOCAL police have disrupted a cannabis ring operating across the northern suburbs and the Barossa Valley, with nine people set to face court next month.

Criminal Investigative Branch officers from the Barossa, Yorke Mid-North and Northern District local service areas conducted a number searches across six weeks to disrupt a cannabis syndicate running primarily from the Barossa Valley.

The searches began on June 17 and ended on July 24, with premises in Cockatoo Valley, Nuriootpa Davoren Park, Andrews Farm, Port Broughton and Paralowie among the properties searched.

Police believe the group was collectively growing and distributing the cannabis.

In total, police seized 81 cannabis plants, around 7.5kg of dry cannabis – estimated to be the equivalent of around 300 street deals – and electrical equipment, including lighting, used in cultivating the drug.

Barossa Local Service Area officer in charge Chief Inspector Shane Addison said police had dismantled the operation, but the investigation is continuing.

“Investigations by Barossa Criminal Investigation Branch identified a single cannabis grown house,” he said.

“Diligent follow up investigations confirmed the existence of the cannabis growing syndicate culminating in the nine apprehensions.

“SA police will continue to identify and disrupt these criminal endeavours for the safety, health and wellbeing of the community, and bring those responsible for the manufacture of controlled drugs to justice.”

Nine people were arrested as a result of the charges, including a 58-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman from Cockatoo Valley.

A Tanunda pair were also arrested, as well as two people each from Davoren Park and Andrews Farm and a Paralowie man.

All nine were charged with cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis, trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis and a various other related offences.

They were all bailed to appear in court on dates during August and across the Tanunda and Elizabeth Magistrate courts.