A police helicopter equipped with heat seeking equipment uncovered a secret drugs factory in Wembley where 400 cannabis plants were being grown.

Officers flying over leafy Mount Pleasant, noticed an abnormal amount of heat coming from one property and suspected it was being used to cultivate the Class C drug.

A search warrant was executed at the address on Tuesday last week (5) and officers discovered the hoard of plants along with cultivation equipment and paraphernalia.

Trung Duy Le, 24, of Mount Pleasant, Wembley was charged with production of cannabis and was remanded in custody awaiting trial

DC Peter Warburton from Brent CID said, "It is an excellent result for the borough. It demonstrates how technology can be used to fight the illegal production of drugs destined for the streets of Brent.

"I urge that anyone who has experienced criminal activities in their area, drug-related or otherwise, should contact their local police on 0300 123 1212 or their Safer Neighbourhoods Team or if they wish to remain anonymous phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."