Cannabis plants have allegedly been found growing in a shipping container buried underground at a Mount Alfred property, which could be accessed through a trap door in a dog kennel.
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When Corryong police raided the rural property on July 18, they also allegedly seized a total of more than one kilogram of cannabis in the house, a .22-calibre rifle hidden in a hammock, a silencer, plus ammunition located in various locations around the house.
Property owner Michael Houston, 48, who was banned from owning firearms because of an intervention order taken out against him, has been told he is likely to go to jail.
He appeared in Wodonga Magistrates Court last week where magistrate Ian Watkins indicated that if Houston pleaded guilty, he would be sentenced to four months in jail plus a community corrections order.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Penny Lawler said officers also allegedly found a potato gun and police, VicRoads and council signs in the shed; three more firearms in the safe; and a small amount of ice beside Houston's bed.
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She said the underground shipping container had a ladder down from the dog kennel and allegedly contained 36 cannabis seedlings and heat lighting.
Houston's barrister Sally Wilson said the firearms were needed for business on the farming property, which had thousands of cattle.
"Guns are an essential part of running the farm. I'm not saying he should have had access to them personally," she said.
"He is someone who has done the wrong thing and will have to pay the price."
She said the potato gun was being used by others on the property and Houston had told them to stop.
Mr Watkins said time in jail was the appropriate sentence because Houston had previously committed violence and firearms offences, and he did not behave like a responsible farmer.
"It's just appalling to have firearms and ammunition around the house," he said.
The case was adjourned until January so Houston can get a psychological report before he decides how to plead.
