Did you know that google Earth can help with chance discoveries & investigations?

Question

ZURICH: Swiss police said on Thursday they stumbled across a large marijuana plantation while using Google Earth, the search engine company's satellite mapping software.

Police said they arrested 16 people and seized 1.1 tons (1.2 US tons) of marijuana as well as cash and valuables worth 900,000 Swiss francs ($780,000).

Officers discovered the hemp field in the northeastern canton (state) of Thurgau last year while investigating an alleged drug ring, said the head of Zurich police's specialist narcotics unit Norbert Klossner.

The plantation, measuring almost two acres (7,500 square meters), was hidden inside a field of corn. But officers using Google Earth to locate the address of two farmers suspected of involvement in the drug operation quickly spotted the illegal crop.

"It was an interesting chance discovery," said Klossner.

Prosecutor Gabi Alkalay told reporters in Zurich that she plans to complete her criminal investigation in February, after which she will formally charge the 16 suspects and ask for prison sentences for all of them.

The gang is alleged to have sold up to 7 tons (7.7 US tons) of hashish and marijuana between 2004 and 2008, with an annual turnover of 3-10 million francs a year, officials said.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I've heard of things being discovered before. Personally I use Microsoft Multimap and introduced it to my brother-in law, by using Bird's Eye View he saw a weak spot in his house security that he wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Before I moved I could see a Shiva I had in my window, creepy eh?

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Creepy...
: )

Answer 2

I knew that by 23%. :( dont know about the other 77%

Answer 3

It can also help stalkers and psychopathic killers and take away people's right to privacy.

Answer 4

Google Earth is wrong!
If I type in my address,it points to the wrong house!

Kev - Have some more swally,ya barmpot!

Answer 5

Bear ~ No wonder it's wrong, Bears live in the woods. They can't get it right all the time!
I can't make anything out on Google Earth, it's all blurry and not that good a picture.

Answer 6

Well that's marvellous just another lot of nosy parkers spying on us. It would be of a far better use to predict decent weather forecasts and help with the earthquake data than find a few cannabis fields tvm.

Answer 7

So they found a field with the herb growing in it, that wont change the direction the world is going and a pity they can't find Bin Laden. The herb doesn't kill people Bin Laden and his associates do.

Answer 8

Ha Ha Big brother is always watching!