AROMAS—A Watsonville man was arrested Monday after an illegal butane honey oil lab at his residence exploded, seriously injuring a woman.
Jason Mendez, 22, was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, arson and other drug-related charges. He was not in custody at Monterey County Jail Wednesday morning, jail records showed.
The process of extracting THC from marijuana plants using flammable butane is dangerous, since any spark can cause an explosion, police say.
According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of an explosion on the 300 block of Blohm Avenue at about 3pm. There, they found an adult female with “significant injuries.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Matthew Costa at 755-7289 or Det. Abel Munoz at 755-3812.