On 12/10/17, at approximately 11:55 PM, an officer from the Angels Camp Police Department stopped a vehicle for a lighting equipment infraction, no rear license plate light. The driver of the vehicle was unable to provide his driver license, and a subsequent records check revealed that his driving privilege is currently suspended.
A consent search of the vehicle revealed several partially smoked marijuana cigarettes in the ashtray, as well as other marijuana related paraphernalia in the glove box. In the rear cargo area a medium sized cardboard box was found, that was later determined to contain 54 separate sheets of waxed paper. Each sheet of waxed paper contained an amount of concentrated cannabis, commonly referred to as "Butane Honey Oil, "Wax," or "Dabs."
The driver of the vehicle admitted that he is currently working at a marijuana growing operation in Sheep Ranch, and said that he also works for a facility in Southern California that produces Butane Honey Oil. He advised that he was on his way back to Sheep Ranch from the Southern California area when he was stopped.
The driver of the vehicle, Oscar D. Merino, a 27 year old Baldwin Park resident, was cited and released for the following violations;
1) 11357(b)(2) of the CA Health and Safety Code-Possession of More Than 4 Grams of Concentrated Cannibas
2) 11362.3(a)(4) of the CA Health and Safety Code-Possess an Open Container of Marijuana While Operating a Motor Vehicle
3) 11360(a)(2) of the CA Health and Safety Code-Transportation of Marijuana
4) 14601.2(a) of the CA Vehicle Code-Driving on a Suspended Driver License
5) 24601 of the CA Vehicle Code-Inoperative License Plate Light
The Butane Honey Oil was seized as evidence and in total, 1,671 grams, or 3.7 pounds, of concentrated cannabis was logged as evidence at the police department. Depending on the quality of the drug and the location purchased, Butane Honey Oil sells at a range of $20-$70 per gram, placing the value somewhere in the range of $33,000.00-$117,000.00.
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