Four men face drug-related charges stemming from an 11-month-long investigation that developed into a raid at a downtown Chico smoke shop on Aug. 23.
The Dungeon was raided by agents from the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force in conjunction with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, Chico Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office. They executed a search warrant, which concluded an 11‐month-long investigation into the smoke shop selling items used to manufacture butane honey oil.
Butane honey oil is a marijuana extract that contains THC and can be vaporized and inhaled; it is also referenced to as “dabbing.”
“Agents seized four complete closed loop BHO production systems, numerous components for additional systems including extraction tubes, presses and commercial grade ovens, more than 1,000 cans of butane and 13 14-pound canisters of butane refrigerant,” the press release said.
Mahmoud Saeidah, 34, was arrested for allegedly selling laboratory equipment for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing controlled substances. In addition, he was also arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm and metal knuckles, the court report said.
Nizar Saeidah, 43, was arrested for allegedly selling laboratory equipment for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing controlled substances and maintaining a place to sell the equipment, the press release said.
Ehad Saeidah, 21, was arrested for allegedly selling laboratory equipment for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing controlled substances.
Iyad Saeidah, 19, was arrested days later following the raid for selling laboratory equipment for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing controlled substances and for making criminal threats in which he allegedly threatened local journalists who were reporting on the case.
After a news story on the confrontation was aired, according to an Action News Now Television report, the next day Iyad Saeidah allegedly told a Chico News and Review reporter that he may shoot the TV station because of the report and incident.
Currently, three of the defendants have been released from jail, but Iyad Saeidah still remains in the Butte County jail with a $1 million bail for making criminal threats against Action News Now Television and the Chico News and Review.
However, The Dungeon has been open for business.
Each of the defendants pleads not guilty at their arraignment on Sept. 1. A hearing for the four defendants is scheduled for Sept. 29 at the Butte County Superior Court In Oroville.
Bianca Quilantan can be reached at [email protected] or @biancaquilan on Twitter
