by Rob Nagle
Police arrested two people on suspicion of marijuana cultivation, among other charges, in a residence near Mt. Davidson, Sgt. Danielle Newman said in a statement today.Alexander Lioulios, 33, and Lauren Todd, 26, both of San Francisco, were arrested Thursday in the 100 block of Molimo Drive, Newman said. An investigation that started in June, after reports of a strong smell of marijuana in the area, led to a search warrant and the arrests.
Investigators determined that there was a marijuana cultivation operation going on as well as a “butane honey oil lab,” which is the volatile process of extracting concentrated cannabis oil using butane fuel.
Investigators also determined the electricity used to power the operation was being stolen from another residence, Newman said.
A small spark from a pilot light in a household appliance is enough to ignite a fire and or explosion when the butane extraction method is being used, Newman said. The container in which the extraction process is happening basically becomes a pipe bomb.
Lioulios and Todd were booked on charges related to marijuana cultivation, theft of utility services, marijuana sales, maintaining premises where controlled substances are used or sold, manufacturing a controlled substance and conspiracy.
Police discovered evidence of ongoing narcotics trafficking activities, Newman said, including 84 plants, more than 10 pounds of dried, process marijuana and 82 containers of concentrated THC oil.