August 5, 2024 4:40 p.m.
Two men were jailed after detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team investigated a suspicious structure fire that occurred Saturday afternoon in Glendale.
A DINT release said the fire was initially reported to 911 at approximately 4:15 p.m. Glendale Fire responded and prevented the fire from spreading. The structure, a 1,500 square foot general purpose building, was a total loss.
Deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office also responded, and notified DINT when it was discovered that the fire was likely caused by an illegal Butane Hash Oil lab. DINT Commander Lieutenant Rick McArthur said due to the nature of the case, and the need for thorough investigation, DINT applied for, and was granted a search warrant for the property, structures, and residence at that location. Detectives executed the search warrant at approximately 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Detectives found evidence indicating this was a suspected illegal marijuana extraction lab and production facility.
McArthur said BHO labs are known to be very dangerous due to the use of extremely volatile and flammable solvents. McArthur said without proper safety measures in place, sometimes even the tiniest spark can ignite the collecting vapors, causing explosions and fire.
The release said detectives found lots of evidence of illegal black market marijuana production to include thousands of pounds of processed marijuana and approximately 5 pounds of finished BHO product. It appears a tremendous amount of processed marijuana was destroyed in the fire.
McArthur said a further search of the premises revealed evidence of several other controlled substance crimes. Detectives seized notable amounts of suspected fentanyl, psilocybin mushrooms, ketamine, MDMA, DMT and LSD. All of these substances are routinely laced into marijuana products.
8 firearms were also seized from the property.
35-year-old Kendall Jorgensen of Ashland, and 38-year-old Christopher Drezek of Glendale, were contacted at the property.
Jorgensen was charged with arson incident to manufacture of cannabinoid extract in the first-degree, unlawful manufacture, delivery and possession of marijuana, two counts of unlawful possession of a schedule-I controlled substance, unlawful possession of 3,4-MDMA, and unlawful possession of a schedule-II controlled substance. He was detained on $300,000 bail. Drezek was charged with arson incident to manufacture of cannabinoid extract in the first-degree, and unlawful manufacture, delivery and possession of marijuana. He was detained on $35,000 bail.
McArthur said DINT is actively seeking the whereabouts of two persons who fled the scene. Pictures from this investigation are posted with this story at www.541radio.com