Re: Paranoia engage: "Is there any risk that a DEA chopper can 'see' one 600 watt bul
I work in the aviation industry and will tell you from direct knowledge. Yes a FLIR (far looking infer-red) can see any heat signature through nearly any object. However, there are a few things you have to consider. First the DEA is not worried about someone growing 1 or 10 or even 50 plants. Those are almost always local charges and not worth their time. Secondly, using FLIR in a residential area with the intent of finding a grow house is illegal and has been held up in court a number of times. Yes there are a couple of cases where FLIR was used and they said it was okay, but that was due to an investigation on people that was stealing power from a neighbor and they had a warrant to do so. Third, the heat signatures can be very hard to "read" and tell exactly what they are. The signature will be there but it could be a TV, oven, microwave, or any other number of square/rectangular object. As long as there is no reason for them to be looking at you directly (ie you are a known drug dealer and have that type of activity in your dwelling) then they won't be doing it.