Hi-tech camera locates drug factory

Officers in Haringey have used a special thermal imaging camera to locate cannabis in two houses in London, resulting in a raid which led to one arrest.

This is the first time that the Met has used these types of cameras, which detected the increase in heat emissions from the house where the drug was being grown.

Sergeant Ian Pyles, who led the operation from St Ann’s Road Police Station, said: “This latest technology has allowed us to quickly identify houses in Haringey which have been turned into cannabis factories. The equipment means we can covertly film a line of properties and identify the factory when the thermal image glows white-hot.

“In some cases so much heat is being emitted that the house will look as though it’s ablaze. With one house’s crop of cannabis being worth in excess of £70,000 we have to work hard to put the growers out of business.”

Haringey’s Borough Commander, Simon O’Brien, added: “This type of technology is the way forward for the Met and will ensure that we stay one step ahead of the criminals and drug dealers.”