A landlord found what turned out to be drug manufacturing equipment in the former La Jolla home of a recently evicted tenant Tuesday, prompting some precautionary evacuations and street closures while authorities investigated.
The discovery in the 6000 block of La Jolla Hermosa Avenue was reported shortly before noon, according to San Diego police.
Since the person who found the butane “honey oil” manufacturing setup did not know what it was and thought it might have been a makeshift explosive device, authorities blocked off traffic lanes and cleared residents out of the immediate area while a bomb squad was en route to investigate, said SDPD public-affairs Officer Matt Botkin.
After determining the nature of the equipment, the ordnance-handling personnel impounded it for safe disposal, said Monica Munoz, a spokeswoman for the city Fire-Rescue Department.
The neighborhood was reopened to the public about 1:45 p.m., according to police.
Honey oil, also known as hash oil, is a concentrated substance derived from marijuana plants. Butane, a flammable gas, is often used to produce honey oil, making it extremely dangerous.
Updated at 3:10 p.m. Dec. 1, 2020
— City News Service