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Three arrested, cannabis oil lab and marijuana plants discovered
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant in Kelseyville last week led to three arrests, as well as the seizure of marijuana plants and concentrated cannabis.
Arrested were Paige Leann Polley, 24, and 27-year-old John Joseph Darnell, both of Kelseyville, and 27 year old Charles William Knipp of Chico, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Last Friday, April 25, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for a residence located in the 5000 block of Caddo Court in Kelseyville. At 10 a.m. that day detectives served the warrant at the home, Brooks said.
Brooks said that upon entry into the residence, detectives located and detained Polley, Darnell and Knipp without incident.
During a search of the home, detectives located two separate areas where the occupants were in the process of extracting the tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, from the marijuana using butane gas. Brooks said this method produces an end product which is referred to as “honey oil.”
The subjects had multiple hot plates inside the house, which were actively in the process of burning off the butane gas. Brooks said this process is extremely dangerous and has been the cause of multiple fires and explosions in Lake County.
Detectives located a hoop-style greenhouse in the backyard which contained 59 marijuana plants, Brooks said. They also located an indoor grow in one of the bedrooms which contained 157 marijuana plants.
Brooks said detectives eradicated a total of 216 marijuana plants from the residence. They also located and seized 21 ounces of honey oil, which has an approximate street value of $29,700.
During a search of the garage, detectives located numerous PVC and glass cylinders which are used during the honey oil extraction process. Brooks said they also located more than 200 empty butane cylinders and two new unopened cases of butane.
Detectives found numerous bags and plastic tubs containing marijuana, which they seized. The marijuana was later weighed and had an approximate gross weight of 301 pounds, according to Brooks.
Central Dispatch conducted a records check of Polley and advised she was on probation out of Butte County for possession of a controlled substance, which was transferred from the state of Illinois. Brooks said dispatch also advised that Polley had an outstanding arrest warrant from Illinois for possession of a controlled substance.
Polley was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, the cultivation of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, possession of concentrated cannabis, violating the terms of her probation and the arrest warrant from Illinois, Brooks said.
Darnell was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, cultivating marijuana and possession of concentrated cannabis. Brooks said that during the search, detectives located a recent arrest report written by the U.S. Forest Service, listing Darnell as the suspect arrested. Darnell was apparently arrested on March 28 in Trinity County for possessing 288 pounds of marijuana.
Knipp was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, cultivating marijuana and possession of concentrated cannabis. Brooks said a records check revealed Knipp was also on probation out of Butte County for the possession of marijuana for sale and was arrested for violating the terms of his probation.
All three subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.
Jail records indicated that all three remained in custody on Monday. Darnell is being held on $100,000 bail, while Polley remained in custody on a felony probation violation and a fugitive from justice warrant, with Knipp being held on a felony probation violation.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.