Snow blanketed the Netherlands, covering rooftops and streets in white. But in one small village, a single house stood out—its roof was strangely bare, even after multiple snowfalls. At first, neighbors assumed it was due to renovations or special roofing. Yet, as more storms came, the oddity became impossible to ignore.
Villagers reported it, and police quickly recognized the sign. In the Netherlands, a snow-free roof often indicates large-scale indoor cannabis cultivation. Heat from powerful lamps and ventilation systems used for growing plants rises and melts snow almost instantly, creating what officers call nature’s “thermal camera.”
Inside, authorities found a fully equipped cannabis farm: rows of plants, bright artificial lights, and humid air thick with the smell of marijuana. The heat was so strong that snow couldn’t cling to the roof.
This wasn’t an isolated case. Similar raids in Haarlem, Zutphen, and Arnhem uncovered farms with hundreds of plants worth tens of thousands of euros.
Though the Netherlands is tolerant of small-scale use, commercial cultivation is illegal. Police continue urging residents to report suspicious snow-free roofs—because sometimes, winter weather reveals hidden crimes.
