THREE men have been arrested during raids on drugs dens in Heston.


Police used heat-sensing infra-red technology to uncover the cannabis factories in Shannon Close and nearby King's Arbour.

Officers from Heston West Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) arrested one man at the first address and two at the second house on March 3.

All three men were charged with cultivating cannabis and have been remanded in custody.

Sergeant John Hipkiss, of Heston West SNT, said the first property, an end of terrace house, had a particularly large crop of plants.

"There were about 75 plants in the loft and some 300 growing growing downstairs, which is quite a lot," he told the Chronicle.

"It was a particularly good result to make three arrests because nine times out of 10 you get to the address and there's nobody there."

Sgt Hipkiss said infra-red technology was particularly useful at uncovering drugs dens, despite the best efforts of criminals to insulate the heat by lining walls with silver foil.

However, he urged people to report any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood to police.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said he felt much safer now the drugs dens had been closed.

He claimed to have reported his suspicions about the property in Shannon Close to police a year ago and was disappointed they had not acted sooner.

However, Sgt Hipkiss insisted police had not received any reports from local residents before the raid and only became aware of the drugs factories thanks to the heat-sensing cameras.

If you suspect people are growing or dealing drugs in your neighbourhood please call the police on 0300 123 1212.