Ballarat Divisional Response Unit detectives executed a drug warrant at the well-maintained red brick home on Millar Court shortly before 8am.

Detective Sergeant Brett Robinson police described the operation located in one of the rear sheds as a "sophisticated cannabis growhouse system"

"Something of this size and sophistication would normally involve some sort of involvement from outside of the area but the inquiries are still going on," he said.

Police have suspects in mind, but have not yet arrested or charged anybody. Police are also working to ascertain whether there are other cannabis growhouses linked to the one in Nintingbool operating in the area.

"We are still exploring links with other information that we've got," Detective Sergeant Robinson said.

The home is one of only several in the small court at the semi-rural location between Smythesdale and Smythes Creek, just off the Glenelg Highway.

It was unoccupied at the time of the raid.

Its lawn had recently been mowed, with the hedges on the driveway leading up to the house also well-maintained.

He said the system was a well set-up hydroponic growhouse that appeared to be professionally maintained.

Powercor was at the scene of the home early in the morning, before police began dismantling the set-up.

More than 220 plants were seized from the property, as well as a significant quantity of loose, already cultivated cannabis.

Police believe some of the plants have been grown at the property for at least a couple of months, with the plants located varying in size and maturity.

Police believe the set-up to have been a commercial one, though it is not yet known exactly what the street value of the plants seized is.

Information acquired by police during a lengthy investigation into the manufacturing and trafficking of drugs across Victoria had led them to the address.

It is believed the house has been unoccupied for some time, though Detective Sergeant Robinson said there was evidence that people had been regularly visiting.

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The investigation is ongoing, including into who is responsible for the operation.

In recent months there have been a number of drug raids around Warrnambool, but at this stage police do not believe that the drug operations are related.

The set-up has been dismantled, with the plants to be destroyed.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppersvic.gov.au

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