https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/429/ukimaging.shtml

British police have begun using thermal imaging cameras in parts of London in an effort to detect indoor marijuana gardens. The hand-held devices detect and reveal the heat created by the powerful lighting systems used to grow weed indoors. Police reported patrolling residential streets in the capital's Haringey neighborhood looking for grow op heat signatures and seizing "a significant amount" of marijuana last week as a result.

Thermal imaging gained popularity in American drug war law enforcement circles in the early 1990s, but faded as an investigative tool after the US Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that a thermal imaging scan of a house constituted a search under the Fourth Amendment. Under that interpretation of US law, warrantless thermal image scans like those being done now in London are an unconstitutional violation of the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.

London police were understandably enthused. "This latest technology has allowed us to quickly identify houses in Haringey which have been turned into cannabis factories," said Sgt. Alan Pyles of the St. Ann's station. "The equipment means we can covertly film a line of properties and identify the factory when the thermal image glows white-hot," he told the Press Association.

"We work hard to make Haringey one of the safest London boroughs and will use all means to help us achieve that goal," said Haringey borough commander Simon O'Brien. "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.

And if it works in Haringey, it will be expanded, said O'Brien. "The camera, supplied to the Met by Devon-based Frontline Products, is currently being piloted in Haringey and is due to be used for several future operations."

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