Police Discover THC Lab in Downtown Hollister
HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – September 16, 2016 – On September 14, 2016, Hollister Police Officers were dispatched to an alarm call at 843 San Benito Street. Police discovered an active Marijuana (THC) lab and arrested two suspects.
At about 8:30 pm Hollister Officers arrived at the business located on the 800 block of San Benito Street to investigate a burglary alarm. The building has multiple businesses from San Benito Street through a driveway that exits to East Street.
As officers were checking the surrounding area for evidence of a break in, they observed an open door and a strong odor of marijuana emanating from inside. Officers noticed a man inside the building who quickly ran back into the building upon seeing the officer. A second man also approached officers and attempted to divert them away from the open door. Officers noticed in plain sight ammunition and a large plastic bag with what appeared to be marijuana next to the door.
Officers detained the two suspects and discovered shelves of flavored syrups, boxes full of plastic bottles containers of liquid THC, 3 liter plastic containers with what appeared to be concentrated cannabis residue, several bottles of Everclear alcohol and multiple empty glass containers with concentrated cannabis residue. An initial statement by one of the suspects advised the officers the items were for his personal use.
Officers contained the scene and called the Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team (UNET) for assistance. The UNET task force members arrived and obtained a search warrant to search the buildings further. During the search they located several machines and equipment used in grow houses to cultivate marijuana indoors, bottling equipment, labels and more evidence indicating the extraction of THC and manufacturing syrups and edibles for sales. They discovered growing equipment, scales, empty capsules, capsule presses, pumps and an extractions apparatus.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. THC is one of the many compounds found in the resin secreted by glands of the marijuana plant.
UNET seized over 5,800 grams of Marijuana, 996 fluid ounces of THC syrup in 249 4 ounce bottles. Joseph Gilliam (36) and Darien Nitahara (54), both from San Jose, were arrested and transported to the San Benito County Jail. They were booked for charges of Manufacturing Illegal substance, Possession of marijuana for sales and conspiracy.
Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call the Hollister Police Department at (831) 636-4331. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME. Calls to WeTip can lead to rewards of up to $1,000.
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Prepared by: Dan Winn, Sergeant
Approved by: Carlos Reynoso, Captain
16-2314
Address/Location
Hollister Police Department
395 Apollo Way
Hollister, CA 95023
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 831-636-4330