Cannabis farm rumbled after heating makes it only snow-free property on street
West Yorkshire Police uncovered 322 plants at the property in Keighley.
Snow – or the absence of it – has been credited by police for helping expose a vast cannabis farm in West Yorkshire.
As the town of Keighley fell prey to the same blizzards blighting much of the country this week, suspicion fell on one conspicuous property.
It was the only one on the road without snow on the roof.
Officers from West Yorkshire Police were greeted by a strong smell of cannabis as they approached the house – on the aptly named Arctic Street – and found 322 plants inside.
A strong heat source is required to cultivate a cannabis den, meaning any snow that landed on the building’s roof during the cold spell had melted.
Pc Caroline Foster, an early intervention and prevention officer in Keighley West, tweeted a picture of the plants, saying: “Whilst the snow has kept the burglars at bay it has also helped us in finding some rather large plants…hmmm I wonder why there is no snow on your roof?”
Police had first been alerted to the property by community intelligence, and visited it at around 2pm on Thursday.
They found plants in all four bedrooms and in the cellar of the house, but no-one was home at the time.
Some were said to be nearly 6ft tall.
The force said work was ongoing to recover the plants, which will be examined and valued.
No arrests have been made.
The force said: “Anyone who has information about drugs in Keighley is asked to contact the Keighley NPT on 101 or the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”
