BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A major hydroponic operation has been dismantled in the Maitland area following a raid of 6 homes this morning.

Port Stephens-Hunter Police executed crime scene warrants around 8am today on homes in Raworth, Tenambit, Heddon Greta, Aberglasslyn and Chisholm.

Three men and one woman, all Vietnamese nationals, were arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station after their extremely sophisticated hydroponic setups were discovered.

Hundreds of cannabis plants were found in each of the homes, which were set up with fake walls, watering systems, transformers and growing lights.

Strike Force Devom was formed in December last year to investigate a cluster of hydro-houses believed to be in the area.

Hydro-houses are set up to look like ordinary homes- one of the houses raided today was decorated with Christmas lights to blend-in with the family neighbourhood.

Electricians were called in to cut the homes’ power supplies, as investigations continue into whether the properties are part of an organised crime gang.