EX-FOOTBALLER ACCUSED OVER BIG DRUG CROP

A FORMER football player turned Coffin Cheater and a bikie associate have
been accused of masterminding a big drug crop in an Armadale house
specially adapted to grow marijuana.

Organised crime detectives conducted a surveillance operation on the Kiama
Street house before calling in the Tactical Response Group.

They raided the property yesterday and found more than 100 plants up to a
metre high inside and some dried marijuana.

Former Subiaco defender Alexander Farquharson Rattray, 34, of Bunbury, and
David Clifford Pinkerton, 25, of Innaloo, were arrested and charged with
cultivating cannabis with intent to sell or supply and possession of
cannabis with intent to sell or supply. They appeared in court yesterday.
Organised crime Det-Sen. Sgt Jim Cave described the hydroponics system as
very sophisticated and specially designed to produce marijuana for the drug
market.

All rooms except the kitchen and dining areas had been converted to grow
drugs.

There were two mattresses inside which police believe were used by people
who slept there to tend the crop.

The average suburban house had roller-shutters on the windows and a
massive, expensive air-conditioning system on the roof.

Sen. Sgt Cave said a member of the public tipped off police about the
suspicious activity in the house and officers had watched it.

Neighbours said they always knew there were drugs being grown in the house
but had not called the police.