Watch as infrared drone footage discovers huge cannabis farm in Sunderland
A huge cannabis farm in Sunderland was located by a police drone using an infrared camera.
Shocking footage from above the building at Richard Street in Hetton le Hole showed a bright red glow on parts of the roof, pinpointing where hundreds of illegal plants were growing inside.
The video captured just some of the 800 plants, supported by lighting and feeding equipment, growing across multiple rooms in the abandoned building, which were found when the building was raided.
Huge ventilation tubes are shown on the footage, as well as multiple wires leading to dangerously overloaded plug sockets and dozens of plants in tents and pots.
Prosecutor Miah Nath told Newcastle Crown Court: "Officers were alerted to the address due to the heat detected by drone footage. Subsequently officers forced entry.
“There were multiple growing rooms, spread across three floors in the property, containing both equipment and plants."
The court heard the heat being generated by the illegal operation posed a risk to the public.
Miss Nath said while officers were inside the "large scale cannabis farm" Albanian national Jetmir Serjanaj was seen heading towards an exit.
The illegal immigrant was arrested and gave a prepared statement, in which he confessed he had "watered the plants on occasion".
Serjanaj, 44, of no fixed address, admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis.
Sophie Allinson-Howells, defending, said Serjanaj was not treated with "humanity and respect" during his employment at the farm, which was riddled with flies.
Miss Allinson-Howells added: "It was not particularly hygienic, not a premises fit for a house for a human."
Recorder Felicity Davies jailed Serjanaj for 26 months.
The recorder said: "This was an operation capable of production on a commercial basis."
Recorder Davies said the extension operation had the appearance of a cannabis "factory" and said there was a risk of harm due to the heat being generated.