Teachers give lessons in how to grow vegetables using gear seized from cannabis gangs

Police normally destroy the expensive equipment after seizing it from criminals
But cops in Devon and Cornwall have put the gear to better use in local schools
The hydroponic gear includes specialist devices such as heat lamps and tubes

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 22:02 BST, 5 June 2018 | Updated: 22:18 BST, 5 June 2018

Children are learning to grow vegetables in schools – with cannabis equipment seized by police.

The hydroponic gear, such as heat lamps and special tubes, is used by drug gangs to cultivate cannabis in lofts, garages and warehouses.

Police normally seize and destroy it at public expense.

Now it is being used to grow vegetables and tomatoes in an educational programme in Devon and Cornwall.

Superintendent Craig Downham said: ‘This is a win-win situation, putting the equipment to good use and saving public money.’

Police in Devon and Cornwall said they would usually have to dispose of the gear at the taxpayer’s expense

The high-tech equipment such as heat lamps and tubes has been put to use on school gardening projects [file photo]