Full Notification

This morning, around 5 AM, police and fire were called to a house at 22277 Summit View Drive in West Hills after neighbors heard an explosion and saw fire.

Fire fighters arrived first and put out the fire quickly.  One man remained at the scene, with moderate burns.  He is currently at the hospital, but is uncooperative with investigators.

LAFD Arson and LA IMPACT, a county wide narcotics task force, are investigating the cause of the explosion and fire.  Preliminary reports say occupants of the house were involved in an illicit honey oil manufacturing operation.

Honey Oil is derived from processing marijuana to extract the concentrated THC (active drug in marijuana).  It's packaged and sold on the streets and in marijuana shops.  The processing involves the use of butane burners, making the operations volitile and subject to explosions and fire.

Just like in meth labs, honey oil operations often leave the house or apartment a hazardous waste site, requiring extensive clean up, and often the need to red-tag the residence.  

A common practice for operators of illicit drug labs is to rent homes, make their product, and leave.  What remains behind is for the homeowner to pay to clean up or demolish.

Landlords and neighbors should look for signs of drug labs and report information to law enforcement or Crimestoppers.  

The public, especially parents, should also educate themselves on the consequences of chronic use of THC-based drugs, like Honey Oil and modern-day marijuna.  Aside from the user losing initiative to be active or motivated, studies have linked chronic use of THC to mental illness.  Psychiatrists have also noted the ill-effects of THC use on mentally ill persons, especially schizophrenics.  

Prepared by
Capt. Paul Vernon
LAPD Topanga Police Station