HEADINGLEY, England, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- British police said sun-mimicking lights seized from a marijuana farm are now being used to grow grass for the Leeds Rhinos soccer team.

Officers from the West Yorkshire Police's Inner North West Neighborhood Policing Team said the about 50 lights and transformers seized from a Headingley, England, home that was being used to grow more than 500 cannabis plants were donated to the Leeds Rhinos as part of a "swords to plowshares" initiative.


Police Constable Kevin Hussey said the scheme saves police money because they would have otherwise had to arrange for the equipment to be thrown away.

"When I found that we could donate equipment seized from cannabis farms to local groups I discussed it with their head groundsman to see how we might be able to help them out," Hussey said. "Previously, we would have to pay to hire skips to dispose of all the equipment but this way we can save money and see something that criminals have been using in the illegal drugs trade put to a positive use in the local community."

Rhinos officials said the lamps will be used to grow grass on the field and keep it healthy.

"The lights will certainly be put to good use especially at this time of year," head groundsman Ryan Golding said.

Police said unused pots and soil from the marijuana grow house were donated to the Brudenell Primary School for use in its community garden.