A Santa Maria man is behind bars after a butane honey oil lab exploded and injured one person in Orcutt.
On Saturday, February 15th, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office responded to a call of an explosion and smoke coming from an apartment on the 3300 block of Orcutt Road around 1:30 p.m.
One of the residents was transported to the hospital in an ambulance with serious injuries.
Officers quickly identified remnants associated with a butane honey oil lab, officials said in a press release.
According to authorities, 37-year-old Albert Alvarado of Santa Maria was arrested for following as a result:
- child endangerment (felony)
- arson causing great bodily injury (felony)
- manufacturing a controlled substance (felony)
- manufacturing a controlled substance when a child under 16 is present (felony)
- possession of marijuana for sale (misdemeanor)
The explosion caused major damage to the apartment, where a sliding door was blasted of its rails, officials said. The explosion put the residents and neighbors at a serious risk.
Alvarado was booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail and is being held on $500,000 bail.
The Santa Barbara County Cannabis Compliance Team also responded to help with the investigation which is still ongoing at this time.
The Sheriff's Office is reminding community members that extracting oils from cannabis is not only illegal, but also extremely dangerous.
If you believe someone is operating an illegal extraction lab, you can report it at this anonymous tip line: (805) 681-4171
