A ROUTINE police inquiry at a rural address resulted in the discovery of a cannabis crop and subsequent arrest of a man at Green Hill yesterday afternoon.

Gordonvale officers attended a Brown Road address at around 3pm in relation to another matter. 

The officers then walked to the rear of the dwelling and allegedly observed a significant cannabis crop in a nearby fenced area. A male was seen to flee on foot from the location.

A Cairns Dog Squad team attended the incident scene and PD Ziggy went to work, leading his handler and accompanying officers to a nearby address where a man was located and taken into custody.

A search of the residence allegedly located a quantity of cannabis and a hydroponic growing system set up in a room at the dwelling.

The 79 cannabis plants in the outdoor crop site were analysed and photographed before being destroyed on-scene.

A 43-year-old Green Hill man was charged with producing a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug and possession of things used in the commission of a crime.

He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on September 22.