Man held after honey oil lab discovered

A 25-year-old Porterville man is facing several charges after Porterville Police uncovered a Butane Honey Oil lab at a home in the 2000 block of W. Tomah Avenue.

A 25-year-old Porterville man is facing several charges after Porterville Police uncovered a Butane Honey Oil lab at a home in the 2000 block of W. Tomah Avenue.

Police said they were called to the home at just after 11 a.m. Sunday because the burglar alarm had gone off. While checking the exterior of the residence, officers observed items in the backyard that are commonly used to manufacture concentrated cannabis, also known as Butane Honey Oil (BHO). Honey oil is processing marijuana using a burtane burner and is considered highly dangerous.

A short time after officers arrived at the residence, the resident, identified as Raul Blancas, arrived home and was detained without incident.

Narcotics detectives were summoned to the scene at which time a search warrant was obtained for the residence. During the search, detectives seized 5 pounds of processed marijuana, a small amount of BHO, an operational BHO lab and other items associated with the sales of BHO, said police. Detectives also seized two rifles and a collapsible baton that Blancas is unauthorized to possess.

Blancas was arrested and later booked into the Tulare County Jail where he is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail. He is facing charges of manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sales and possession of a deadly weapon.