GoLocalTV: U.S. Attorney Files Federal Criminal Charges Against Butane Hash Oil Producers in RI
GoLocalProv News Team
GoLocalTV: U.S. Attorney Files Federal Criminal Charges Against Butane Hash Oil Producers in RI
United States Attorney Peter Neronha announced the filing of federal criminal charges against five individuals for their alleged roles in the operation of butane hash oil (BHO) labs in Rhode Island on Wednesday.
Neronha was joined at the press conference by federal, state and local law enforcement leaders to emphasize the public safety threat and the potential for catastrophic results.
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Butane Hash Fires in the U.S.
November 2011
Medford, Oregon
The heater in the house turned on causing the butane to explode. Seven people, including two kids, escaped from the explosion.
November 2013
Bellevue, Washington
The fire was started by three men who were using butane to extract hash oil from marijuana. The fire cost $1,500,000 in damages and former Mayor Nan Campbell died in the fire.
The three men were charged in July of 2014
Photo courtesy of ssalomans/ flickr
May 2014
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Hash oil was linked to dozens of explosions but no one was hurt. A couple was taken into custody on suspicion of first degree arson but were later released on bond.
May 2014
Puyallup, Washington
An illegal hash oil operation went up in flames featuring more than 300 cans of butane. Nobody was injured in the explosion but two people were detained.
October 2014
Missoula, Montana
An explosion took place at a University of Montana apartment due to a man attempting to extract hash oil from marijuana. The man, Patrick Wayne Austin, was held on $50,000 bail.
Photo courtesy of brandonwu/flickr
October 2014
Walnut Creek, California
The top floor of a four unit apartment building was completely blown off and two people were critically injured and another was unaccounted for. The fire consisted of one large explosion and then dozens of other smaller explosions following it.
October 2014
Jackson, Michigan
A 20 year old boy attempted to extract hash oil from marijuana by "open blasting" in his upstairs bedroom in his parents house when it caught fire. The 20 year old had a medical marijuana card.
October 2014
Visalia, California
After extinguishing the fire, the firefighters determined the residents had been cooking hash oil from marijuana when vapors ignited and caused an explosion.
The home had $80,000 in damages and another $20,000 damages to the contents of the home.
November 2014
San Bernardino County, California
A man was killed and two others were injured after a home exploded and significant amounts of marijuana and butane were found in the debris.
Photo courtesy of paulbanday/ flickr
