State Senate approves bill to strengthen state drug laws

The California State Senate approved a bill authored by Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) Wednesday that would increase the punishment for manufacturing Butane Hash Oil (BHO) and methamphetamine in residential neighborhoods to an aggravated felony. After a unanimous bipartisan vote, SB 212 will go to the State Assembly for consideration.

“I am very pleased SB 212 was approved by the Senate,” Mendoza said. “It is imperative that we protect our neighborhoods and schools from those who choose to manufacture illegal drugs.”

The bill strengthens state drug laws and allows a judge to give a more severe penalty, depending on the proximity of the BHO or methamphetamine lab to an occupied residence or structure.

“SB 212 strengthens the law and sends a strong message that if you choose to manufacture drugs in our neighborhoods and near schools, you will be severely punished,” Mendoza said.

According to the Senator, BHO labs are popping up throughout the state. Due to the way the drug is manufactured, there have been explosions throughout the state causing damage, injuries, and fatalities.

Since 2013, both federal and state law enforcement agencies have discovered more than 800 illegal drug labs near schools throughout the state. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) highlights these cases:

In San Jose in May, 2014, the discovery of a crystal methamphetamine lab in a home in San Jose, near San Jose High School. In December, 2014, a drug lab was discovered at a Victorville daycare center capable of manufacturing BHO. In Fresno County in January, 2015, a BHO lab was discovered in a home that shares a fence with a school. In addition, there were 28 firearms in the house. In San Diego County, 17 BHO labs were discovered in the first four months of last year. A third of those were discovered because they exploded. In Yuba County, 10 BHO labs were discovered last year. The year before that there was only one.

A former elementary school teacher, Senator Mendoza’s main concern is for the children.

“We need to ensure that our children are safe in the classroom and on the school playground from the threat posed by the manufacturing of illicit drugs,” he said.