Southwest Michigan's Branch County became the focal point for a major law enforcement operation against illegal drug manufacturing this past Wednesday. In a co-ordinated strike, detectives from the Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET) and the Michigan State Police Marijuana and Tobacco Investigations Section moved quickly to execute search warrants on multiple sites suspected of engaging in unlawful production of butane hash oil – a contraband known to bypass regulation, testing and taxation, MLive reported.
The search led to the discovery of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana, believed to be intended for conversion into hash oil. Authorities also found a lab located about 60 feet from a home where small children live. Hazmat crews were called in to safely dismantle the setup due to the chemical risks involved, as reported by FOX 17.
The seized substances included, besides the cannabis, 312 marijuana plants, 32 pounds of butane hash oil, and an assorted collection of psychedelic drugs like psilocybin mushrooms, DMT, and suspected MDMA. Firearms found on the premises added a layer of gravity to the case. Amidst the evidence, SWET discovered large tanks geared for a closed-loop process to extract THC concentrate from marijuana. As detailed by The Daily Reporter, excess product not necessary for evidence was combusted on location by the Lakeland Fire Department, a necessary but cautious tactic given the operation's scale and substance.
No arrests were immediately made, but Branch County Prosecutor Zack Stempien was on-site to oversee the raid. With the evidence currently being processed, pending charges are expected to follow. The operation addresses black market activities affecting the regulated cannabis industry and highlights the potential safety risks associated with such operations. Officials involved in the case noted the importance of protecting the community, particularly due to the lab's proximity to nearby family homes, as told by Michigan State Police to MLive.
The operation reflects the coordinated efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies within the MSP Fifth District to enforce safety and legal compliance within the state's marijuana framework. Additional details about the outcomes for those involved and the reasons behind the raids are expected as the investigation continues.
