Hash Oil Extraction Lab Located in Brooks Home

Medicine Hat… Three men have been arrested after an Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) investigation uncovered a hash oil extraction lab operating in Brooks, Alta. Cocaine was also seized in the investigation.

ALERT Medicine Hat, an integrated team consisting of Medicine Hat Police Service and RCMP members, shutdown the hash oil extraction lab on March 20. The lab was located inside a Brooks neighbourhood home and was using butane gas to manufacture hash oil.

Hash oil is made using the byproduct of a marihuana plant, with the leaves and stems being soaked in butane gas or isopropyl alcohol to extract the potent cannabinoid-containing resin. The process is very dangerous and has led to several explosions and fires across the province. The demand for hash oil is attributed to the proliferation of electronic cigarettes.

Inside the Brooks home, ALERT seized a number of butane canisters and various equipment used in the extraction process. A total of $38,000 worth of drugs was also seized, including:

• 212 grams of cocaine;
• 1.4 kilograms of marihuana;
• 130 grams of psilocybin;
• 43 grams of cannabis resin;
• $8,650 cash proceeds of crime.

Three people were arrested and are facing drug-related charges:

• Noun Kim Heng Khuth, 26, is charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of proceeds of crime, and production of cannabis resin;
• Chad Baynham, 26, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking marihuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking psilocybin, production of cannabis resin, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
• Lucas Bryne, 26, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.

If you suspect a hash oil extraction lab operating in your community, contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Regional Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

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