Dutch police uses unmanned mini-helicopter to sniff out cannabis
Police in the noerthwest region of the Netherlands asked their engineers to design an unmanned helicopter to hover over the region and sniff out traces of weed smell in the air samples it collects; new methods does not require a warrant to enter buildings
Police in the northeastern region of Achterhoek have begun using an unmanned miniature helicopter to track down the illegal cultivation of cannabis, which often takes place indoors. The “canna-chopper” is fitted with cameras and a sniffer to take air samples out of ventilator shafts and chimneys. A dedicated gas analyzer is able to recognize traces of weed smell in the air samples.
Police say they are not breaking the law because the samples can be taken without entering the building. The unmanned mini-helicopter can stay airborne for a maximum of eight hours. It was designed and built by Dutch police engineers.
Police spokesman Anton de Ronde told Radio Netherlands Worldwide that the first flight last Tuesday morning had already led to the discovery of a cannabis drying shed and a plant cutting facility.
