AIRBORNE police discovered a cannabis factory at a house inSheepridge.
An infra-red sensor on West Yorkshire Police’s helicopter, X-Ray 99, picked up giveaway signs at the semi-detached house on Belle Vue Crescent onWednesday.
Officers from Huddersfield North Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at about 8.30am and seized 12cannabis plants.
Sgt Gareth Crossley said: “This positive action in taking drugs out of the community was down in no small part to the work of the police helicopter and its crew.
“X-Ray 99 was able to use its infra-red camera to pick out the heat signature coming from the suspect’s house, which made it stick out like a sore thumb compared to other houses in the area.
“That gave us the information we needed to secure the warrant and make the arrest.”
As well as the cannabis, police seized growing equipment found in an upstairs bedroom.
A 48-year old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis and taken to Huddersfield police station for questioning.
He was later charged and will appear at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court on January 17.
Sgt Crossley added: “We don't want drugs anywhere in Huddersfield or its surrounding communities.
“I hope that this result will show people that we are always looking out for suspected drug users and dealers and, where appropriate, will take firm action and use our full resources to tackle them.”
The West Yorkshire force use the helicopter on a regular basis to search for drugs factories using thermal-imaging equipment.
The cameras show up heat as a red or orange glow and very often it contrasts noticeably with other buildings.
The heat is given off by the powerful lamps used as part of the hydroponics equipment which helps grow the cannabis plants.
