GPS-equipped turtle foils dope-growing operation

A turtle with a GPS tag helped American police catch a cannabis grower. Photo / Nicola Topping

A turtle equipped with a GPS tracking device gave US cops a helping hand when it headed into public parkland.

A ranger in hot pursuit was shocked when he followed the box turtle into a secluded area of park that was being used as an outdoor hydroponics operation.

Tech Digest reports that the police staked out the dope plot and arrested the grower.

He is believed to be Isiah Johnson of Chevy Chase which is, apparently, a real place.

Sergeant Robert Lachance of the U.S. Park Police said "He felt like he had a layer of security, but he probably never counted on a turtle with a tracking device leading us to that location and finding the field."