Police uncover hash oil lab in Santa Cruz neighborhood

Two suspects are facing drug charges after Santa Cruz police discover a hash oil lab inside a home in the 200 block of Linden Street.

Officers were called to the home for a report of a domestic disturbance early Monday morning. During that response, a search warrant was issued and officers entered the home.

That’s where detectives said the seized more than 1,200 grams of processed hash oil with an estimated street value of $25,000 to $62,000. They also found 246 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $123,000 and more than $7,000 in cash.

Suspects Christopher Kite, 36, and Sarah Theden, 30, both of Santa Cruz, were arrested and booked on multiple charges.

Police said Kite and Theden were charged with domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of marijuana/hash for sale, manufacturing a controlled substance for sale and conspiracy. On Friday, police said the domestic violence charges were dropped, but the drug charges remain.

Officers want to remind the public that hash oil labs are extremely dangerous and can be very explosive. Santa Cruz police said hash labs create a significant safety hazard for residents and neighbors.