Watch The Skies!

Crop stealing criminals in the West Midlands area of the UK are using flying drones fitted with heat-seeking cameras to find their victims. The explosion in the number of cannabis farms in the area over recent years has led to countless violent robberies, as the intruders know the victim will not call the police.

Crop stealing criminals in the West Midlands area of the UK are using flying drones fitted with heat-seeking cameras to find their victims. The explosion in the number of cannabis farms in the area over recent years has led to countless violent robberies, as the intruders know the victim will not call the police.

The latest report on commercial cannabis cultivation from the Association of Chief Police Officers stated that the number of farms had doubled in two years and police were discovering over 20 a day across the UK. 

The report said: “There has been an increase in robberies, burglaries and violence including the use of firearms linked to cannabis farms. And there is evidence of taxing (stealing) of crops and debt bondage being used to control local individuals.”

The use of drones in discovering cannabis farms in residential homes is the first instance of cheaper, remote control drones being used in this way.

When questioned about his remote controlled sidekick, one tech-savvy thief said: “I bought my first drone for a few hundred quid, learnt how to fly it over wasteland and fitted a WiFi camera to it so I could look into people’s windows. However, I noticed police helicopters used thermal imaging cameras to find cannabis farms because of the heat the grow lights give off, so I bought a second hand heat-seeking camera online and hooked it up to my iPad.”

Once a crop is discovered, the victim is either burgled or blatantly taxed by the criminals and their crew. 

He added: “Half the time we don’t even need to use violence to get the crop. Growing cannabis has gone mainstream and the people growing it are not gangsters, especially in places like Halesowen, Cradley Heath and Oldbury.

“We started in Handsworth but you never know who your messing with there, so I bring my drone up these sides now as it is safer and less built up, so easier to fly.”

The criminal continued: “They are fair game, it is not like I’m using my drone to see if people have nice televisions I am just after drugs to steal and sell, if you break the law then you enter me and my drone’s world.”

Drones are basically unmanned aerial vehicles that were first developed by the military for surveillance purposes. Modern day remote control drones are now on sale for under £300 and can remain in the air for up to 30 minutes.

Civilian companies are now using drones for various projects such as aerial photography and construction planning. Both the fire service and, worryingly, the police force are also exploring their use. 

West Midlands MP Tom Watson is also the chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Drones. He said: “This remarkable story shows the proliferation of drone technology which can be used for both good and bad. It is no surprise enterprising criminals would want to get the upper hand in the criminal underworld by using drones. As a society we will be dealing with the impact of drones on our laws and regulations for years to come and it is time the Government started listening about privacy concerns about the misuse of drones.”

Crop stealing is the lowest of the low and, as long as our favourite plant continues to be illegal, growers will always be vulnerable to criminal scum looking to make a buck from someone else’s hard work. Make sure your grow room is secure; don’t carry obvious equipment in and out without wrapping it first, ensure your room is light tight, keep extraction ducting out of sight and, most importantly, don’t tell people about your plants.

Safe growing!

Source:  Halesowen News