If only Terry had turtle recall...

A terrapin has become a “silent witness” for police hunting drug traffickers after a raid on an Oldham cannabis factory.

Detectives found the diamond-backed reptile in a washed-out curry sauce box when they raided the former Royal Jade chip shop in Yorkshire Street.

The team believed to be behind the cannabis factory where more than 200 plants were growing, vanished leaving the forlorn creature in the plastic container on a counter top.

When detectives carried out a thorough search they found the terrapin in its makeshift home.

And as police today launched an urgent appeal for information on the drug gangs, the terrapin — nicknamed Terry — was basking in a new home of a kindly woman detective.

Her son has adopted the creature and they have bought it a new tank and special lamp to keep it warm while colleagues continue to hunt the gang.

Oldham police have smashed more than a dozen cannabis factories in raids as part of a major initiative, Operation Dragonfly.

Det Cons Darren Grafton said: “It is clear from the work we’ve been doing locally the people who ran these farms were living under the noses of other law-abiding members of the community.

“They had been living around Yorkshire Street for months. We are sure someone must know something about who they are, and we’d urge people to come and tell us what they know.

“You will be treated in the utmost of confidence if you do,” he added.