Illegal lab, extremely flammable fuel found in home in path of Thomas Fire

While the Thomas Fire threatened Montecito on Wednesday, firefighters discovered an illicit butane honey oil extraction lab in a home within the mandatory evacuation zone, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday.

Butane honey oil is a potent type of marijuana hash that requires the use of extremely flammable fuel. According to the Sheriff’s Office, many extraction labs across the county have exploded, and a lab in the path of the wildfire made the situation more dangerous.

Law enforcement was alerted to the illegal lab about 11 a.m. Wednesday, when firefighters providing structure protection in the 2200 block of Bella Vista Drive noticed several items related to butane honey oil extraction inside a home, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Sheriff’s investigators responded to the home and confirmed that the items were related to an illegal extraction lab, according to a news release. While investigators obtained a search warrant for the rest of the home, flames from the Thomas Fire were “bearing down” on the area, the Sheriff’s Office said. Authorities searched the residence quickly and confiscated items related to the extraction lab.

Officials seized numerous cans of unopened butane fuel, between 300 and 500 pounds of cut marijuana, 15 to 20 pounds of concentrated cannabis, a small amount of butane honey oil, a commercial grade extraction lab and paraphernalia related to the lab, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities left the residence with the items as firefighters stayed behind to protect the structure, the Sheriff’s Office said. Investigators have identified some potential suspects and are following up on investigative leads, officials said.

The investigation is ongoing.

This story was originally published December 17, 2017 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Illegal lab, extremely flammable fuel found in home in path of Thomas Fire."