The information in this article was provided by San Benito County Sheriff’s Office.
San Benito County Sheriff’s Office reports using a search warrant for a marijuana related business on the 800 Block of San Benito Street in Hollister. A Butane Hash Oil lab was found in the same location of a 2016 investigation into the manufacturing of THC laced flavored “syrup.”
The Sheriff’s office reported that, “ On Tuesday March 20, at approximately 10:10 A.M., Deputies from the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) arrived at a commercial address in the 800 block of San Benito Street, in downtown Hollister, California to conduct a Civil Eviction.” The report says that although no one was found at the unsecured dwelling, deputies “observed items associated with the extraction of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from Marijuana, in plain view within the building and on the front porch.” The report explained that THC is the primary psychoactive product of Cannabis. The Sheriff’s Office states in the news release, that SBSO “called the Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team (UNET) to assist, at which time UNET secured a Search Warrant to conduct further investigation regarding the suspected Butane Hash Oil (BHO) clandestine laboratory.”
As a result, seized items included “approximately 24 pounds of Marijuana, approximately 82 grams of finished THC product, numerous cans of expended (used) Butane canisters, a case of new (unused) Butane canisters, THC extraction tubes, filters, a vacuum pump, glass dishes, and a 50 pound tank of medical grade Nitrous Oxide with miscellaneous balloons.” The Sheriff’s report states that they also found local motorcycle group “indicia” and support material to “a known outlaw motorcycle gang.”
Hollister Code Enforcement responded to the scene and found the conditions of this address to be unsafe and “red-tagged” the location.
According to the Sheriff’s office, within the last year, there was an unrelated residential fire within the city of Hollister where injuries and property damage occurred, due to the Butane Hash Oil (BHO) clandestine manufacturing process. The SBSO cautions people that “butane is a highly volatile, flammable and explosive substance if not maintained, stored and used as intended.”