Suspected honey oil lab discovered in Windsor

A 22-year-old Windsor man sustained burns on his arms and was subsequently cited for drugs and weapons violations in connection with a honey oil laboratory incident Wednesday night, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said.

Juan Valentin Lopez, who lives in his mother’s home on the 800 block of Foothill Drive, was treated at Healdsburg General Hospital for first- and second-degree burns from what officials said was an explosion or flash-over fire in a small shed in the home’s backyard, Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum said in a news release.

Windsor deputies were dispatched to the home about 9:35 p.m. in response to reports of smoke coming from the yard and a burned man running around outside, Crum said.

Detectives obtained a search warrant and found what was described as a “sophisticated butane honey oil extraction lab” in the shed. The shed’s contents were covered with what appeared to be flame retardant, Crum said.

Investigators seized about 78 pounds of processed marijuana commonly used to produce concentrated cannabis, more than a pound of extracted product and a gun, he said.

Lopez was interviewed by deputies when he returned to the house.

Due to his injuries, Lopez was released with a citation to appear in court on suspicion of manufacturing narcotics, possession of marijuana for sale and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, Crum said.

The investigation is continuing, but no other suspects have been identified, he said.

You can reach Staff Writer Guy Kovner at 707-521-5457 or guy.kovner@pressdemocrat.com.