Murrieta explosion results in “Honey Oil” lab arrest
Jason Delvecchio was arrested after a honey oil lab explosion at his Murrieta residence.
MURRIETA – An explosion at a residence in the 39000 block of Banyon Street in Murrieta led to the arrest of a man for running an illegal honey oil lab at the home Aug. 26. Personnel from the Murrieta Fire and Police Departments responded to the home at about 6:44 a.m. regarding an explosion and possible structure fire at the residence.
Firefighters and police officers arrived and checked the interior of the home for victims and located extensive damage to the kitchen and to the rear of the home, confirming that an explosion had occurred at the residence.
The owner of the residence, later identified as 34-year-old Jason Michael Delvecchio, was contacted outside of the home and was detained after the explosion rocked the quiet residential neighborhood. Nobody else was inside the home at the time of the explosion, and no one was injured as a result of the explosion, according to Murrieta Police Lieutenant Ron Driscoll.
“Based on the suspicious nature of the explosion; members of the Murrieta Police Department’s Detective Bureau, Arson Investigators from the Murrieta Fire Department, Riverside County HazMat, and the Riverside County Explosive Disposal Team were requested and responded to the scene,” Driscoll explained. “Once the residence was deemed safe by HazMat personnel, detectives began their investigation and located evidence consistent with a Butane Honey Oil lab.”
Delvecchio’s refrigerator and kitchen were destroyed in the early morning explosion.
During their investigation, detectives determined the explosion occurred as a result of the honey oil being placed in the refrigerator for the purposes of cooling, which is part of the manufacturing process.
“Butane gas is used during the honey oil manufacturing process. Traces of butane gas remains with the honey oil even after the process is completed,” Driscoll explained. “Butane gas is heavier than air and will settle at the lowest point. In this case, the butane gas emitted from the honey oil and settled at the bottom of the refrigerator near the compressor.”
“Once the compressor activated, the butane gas reacted to this ignition source which resulted in a violent explosion,” Driscoll said.
During a subsequent search of the residence, detectives located 226 grams of marijuana wax – also known as honey oil – with a conservative street value of $9,040.00. Detectives also located 7,389 grams of marijuana with a conservative street value of $184,725.00. detectives also located a shotgun inside of the residence.
At the conclusion of their investigation, Murrieta Police detectives arrested Delvecchio for a variety of narcotics, weapons, and arson related charges.
A jail record search revealed Delvecchio was booked into the Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of two counts of illegal manufacture of drugs, narcotics or controlled substances, possession of marijuana for sales being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and two separate counts of arson.
Delvecchio is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail and his next court date has been set for Sept. 15 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.
Anyone with information regarding this arrest or investigation is encouraged to call the on duty Watch Commander at 951-696-3615. You can also provide information anonymously through “We Tip” at 1-800-78-CRIME. Callers can refer to incident file number 1608M-6027 and can remain anonymous.
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