Discovery of butane hash oil lab leads to arrest
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
NICE, Calif. – Authorities arrested a Northshore man last week after finding a butane hash oil lab, drugs and weapons at a home in Nice.
On Thursday, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit detectives served a search warrant at a residence located in the 3400 block of Clyde Street in Nice, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
The residence was determined to be connected to Jose Gustavo Mena III, who was arrested on April 25 in possession of a loaded firearm and lock pick set, as Lake County News has reported.
Detectives contacted Jose Mena’s brother, Ryan Anthony Mena, 33, and Christina Elizabeth Muis, 26, both of Nice, at the residence, Paulich said.
Upon entering the residence, detectives located a butane concentrated cannabis extraction lab, commonly known as butane hash oil lab. Paulich said they also located approximately 15 pounds of marijuana, 1 gram of methamphetamine, glass pipes, 61 rounds of 9 millimeter ammunition, an extended 9 millimeter magazine, hypodermic needles and more than $11,000 in cash.
He said detectives also located a binder that was hidden in the house that contained dozens of completed shipping labels along with a log showing various amounts of money.
Detectives were able to confirm that Ryan Mena was on probation out of the state of Louisiana and had left the state without permission. Paulich said they also confirmed that Mena had previously been convicted of a felony.
Paulich said Mena was arrested and booked at the Lake County Jail for violations of California Health and Safety Code including chemical extraction of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.
Mena’s bail was set at $100,000. Jail records showed that he posted the required percentage of bail and later was released.