Canberra cannabis grow house accused deported despite magistrate's warning

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An illegal immigrant linked to a large-scale cannabis grow house network operating in Canberra has been deported despite warnings he could never face justice for his alleged involvement. 

Ong Yap, 35, pleaded not guilty to participating in a criminal group in the ACT Magistrates Court earlier this year after police arrested him under Operation Armscote.

He was charged over his alleged role in the extensive hydroponic set-ups that ACT Policing said had netted 1226 plants with an estimated street value of more than $7 million seized from rental properties.

Yap, a Malaysian national, was released on bail in July despite complications that stemmed from the fact that he was in the country illegally and had overstayed his visa by more than a year. 

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Prosecutors did not oppose his release and the court heard it was highly likely that he would be deported immediately if he was set free.

Magistrate Peter Dingwall initially expressed concerns that Yap would not be able to return to court and meet...

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