Update: Police investigating suspected hash oil lab near Bellevue High School

Published 1:12 pm Monday, August 8, 2016

Update: Police believe that the hash oil operation uncovered on Aug. 8 was a small operation and did not pose any danger to the public.

The production of hash oil in a home on Southeast 4th Street relatively new and was only being conducted by one or two people, according to police. It also did not include the use of butane gas, which has been linked to many hash oil explosions in the past.

Investigators are still determining whether the operation was legal. No charges have been filed at this time.

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The Bellevue Police Department is investigating a hash oil production in a Downtown Bellevue home, according to officials.

Officers uncovered the lab when they received a call of a possible burglary at a home in the 10600 block of SE 4th St. A neighbor reported seeing a couple of men crawling into a window of the home, which is near Bellevue High School.

While clearing the house, the officers found what they initially believed to be a meth lab. Given the danger of chemicals and fumes associated with meth production, the officers vacated the residence, per department regulations.

Investigators later determined that the lab was producing hash oil, a marijuana byproduct. In Washington, it is legal to possess up to 72 ounces of liquid-infused marijuana products such as hash oil. The production of hash oil, however, requires a license.

The department’s narcotics team and the hazmat-trainer Washington State Patrol SWAT team will be investigating the substance found at the house. Investigators are still trying to determine if the hash oil lab was legal.

There have been several explosions linked to hash oil production in Washington over recent years, including the 2014 Hamptons Green explosion that led to the death of the first female mayor of Bellevue, Nan Campbell. The explosion and subsequent fire caused $1.5 million in damage and the loss of $500,000 in belongings.

The house in the current investigation was reportedly being rented out. The homeowner has been contacted and is cooperating with the police investigation.

Residents may have seen police activity in the area, but should not be concerned. There is no threat or danger to the community, according to Bellevue Police spokesperson Seth Tyler.