Full Notification

INFORMATION FROM COMMANDER WESTPHAL - UNET:
 
Date:                                 March 23, 2018
 Date of Event:                 Tuesday March 20, 2018
 Type of Incident:             Civil Eviction
                                           Search Warrant Service
                                           Clandestine THC Extraction Laboratory
 Location:                           800 Block of San Benito Street, Hollister
Suspects:                          Investigation Continuing
 
On Tuesday March 20, 2018 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. During the process of the action, no one was found to be in the unsecured dwelling. During their investigation, Deputies encountered two dogs, which were eventually released to Hollister Animal Control.
 
Upon entering the building, Sheriff Deputies observed items associated with the extraction of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from Marijuana, in plain view within the building and on the front porch. THC is the primary psychoactive product of Cannabis. The Sheriff’s Office 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 of the Search Warrant service, 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. Also present at the location was indicia to a local motorcycle group 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.
 
This is the second Marijuana related Search Warrant at the same address. The first unrelated investigation in 2016 involved the manufacturing of THC laced flavored “syrup.”
 
Working together with the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office and the Hollister Police Department, the UNET investigation is continuing. Law enforcement would also like to remind and caution people that butane is a highly volatile, flammable and explosive substance if not maintained, stored and used as intended. 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.
 
BY: Captain Eric Taylor for Commander Westphal
DATE: 3/23/2018