The police got more than they bargained for when they came to the aid of a drunk woman and uncovered a drug operation.
A worried neighbour had called the police when they became concerned after spotting the woman in their garden, in Heaton, Newcastle.
Advert
According to reports, the neighbour was worried about the 65-year-old woman's welfare, as she seemed to be drunk.
After making sure she was ok, officers took her home, just a few yards away from where she was found, but upon opening her front door they were met with a waft of weed coming from the property. When they asked the owner where it was coming from, she pointed to her loft.
Police went on to seize growing equipment and 54 plants, before arresting the woman and a 69-year-old man.
Advert
Inspector Julie Rana oversees the work of the neighbourhood team in the area and said any cannabis farms found by police will be seized and destroyed.
She said: "The officers who responded to the initial call were primarily concerned about the welfare of the woman who was reported to be shouting in the street.
"Their priority was to make sure she got home safely and that she was not intimidating any other members of the public in the area.
"However, once inside they used their police officer instinct to sniff out criminal activity and seize what is quite a large home cannabis farm.
Advert
"We know that there are mixed views on the production of cannabis and how seriously it should be taken by police but the reality is that it is an illegal drug.
"Regardless of what people think about the effect of cannabis on society, we will take seize and destroy any farms that we discover in our line of duty."
The man and woman have both since been released under investigation.
Advert
Anyone with information about drug use or supply in their local community is encouraged to contact Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Last week an 80-year-old woman found out just how dangerous weed can be when she and several other people ended up in hospital after someone spiked a birthday cake with cannabis.
This event took place in Australia and one of the 'victims' told her story on local station 3AW.
Advert
She said: "Everyone was having a lovely time and cake was passed around at dessert with fruit and cream and some nice little chocolate chunks sprinkled over it.
"It turns out the chocolate chunks contained marijuana."
The guest, who is in her 50s, said that the culprit assumed that the addition of a load of weed to the chocolate birthday cake would 'liven up the family birthday party'.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: UK News, Interesting, Drugs, Australia