Officials with the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services are renewing a call to the public to report marijuana grow operations, because there has been an increase in the number of hash oil extraction labs found in Alberta recently.
Officials with ALERT’s Green Teams say the process to extract hash oil presents another level of danger on top of a marijuana grow operation – as the process requires highly flammable chemicals such as butane gas and isopropyl alcohol.
“The hash oil extraction process is extremely dangerous for residents, neighbours, and first responders,” Sgt. Dwayne Karpo with Green Team North said in a press release. “We are seeing people try to emulate the process by watching videos on the internet, but in some cases the results have been deadly.”
It’s believed the process has led to a number of explosions and fires in the last year – back in May 2013, an explosion in an extraction lab in Evansburg, west of Edmonton left one man dead and another man injured, and destroyed the home.
Officials said the demand for hash oil, or cannabis resin, is connected to a growth in the use of electronic cigarettes.
In addition to signs of marijuana grow operations, which ALERT has listed on their website, ALERT said hash oil extraction labs produce a pronounced odour.
To report a suspected marijuana grow operation in your community, contact police or call Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
