House fire leads to discovery of butane hash oil lab in Aptos

A house fire led to the discovery of a butane hash oil lab in Aptos.

The suspect and homeowner, Antonio Gallindo-Perches, 43, was severely burned, and one of four dogs in the home died. Gallindo-Perches is still recovering in the hospital.

Aptos firefighters and Santa Cruz County deputies responded to the fire on Bonita Drive just after 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. Firefighters said there was an explosion and that the home was a total loss.

Deputies found an indoor marijuana cultivation lab with the materials used to turn marijuana into hash oil. There were more than 400 butane canisters inside the home. Fortunately, deputies said the fire did not reach the main butane storage area, which could have jeopardized the neighborhood.

“This is the second butane hash oil lab that has caught on fire in our county in the last week. These labs are causing safety concerns and bringing risk into our neighborhoods. Any type of drug manufacturing or sales case occurring in a neighborhood that is brought to our attention will be thoroughly investigated by our detectives,” Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said.

The case is still under investigation and criminal charges haven’t been determined yet.