‘Butane honey oil’ labs on the rise in C. Oregon

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team is seeing an increase in butane honey oil labs popping up around the region.

Investigators said Thursday that honey oil, a very potent form of hashish oil,. is growing in popularity with marijuana users because it gives smokers an intense high.

But butane honey oil can also be highly flammable and explosive.

Firefighters found a honey oil lab inside a shed while putting out a house fire in the Alfalfa area earlier this week. They also located evidence of an illegal marijuana grow.

Neighbors were alarmed when they saw the fire.

“I’m always worried when there is a fire out here,” Ken Sweetman said Thursday.

Police arrested resident Autumn Averette on drug charges and she was later released from jail on her own recognizance.

Drug agents found several items, including extraction chambers, packaging materials and other items used in making butane honey oil and growing marijuana.

Officials said over the past 60 days, they have seized about four drug labs, including two methamphetamine labs.

Investigators said the number of honey oil labs is expected to soar. They said these types of operations are hazardous, and the risk of fire and explosions are high.

Investigators are looking for Averette’s roommates, Lauren Todd and Alexander Lioulios, for questioning.