Date: April 4th, 2018
Date and Time of Incident: 03/28/18 – 7:05 am
Type of Incident: Marijuana Manufacture / BHO Search Warrant
Location of Incident: 25486 Deer Lane, Bend, Oregon
Suspect(s):
David Karl Wyrsch 24 years of age Bend Resident
Sean Paul Wyrsch 29 years of age Bend Resident
Jacob Genaro Robe 29 years of age Bend Resident
Narrative:
On March 28th, 2018, at approximately 7:05 am, detectives assigned to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team, along with assistance from the Central Oregon Emergency Response (CERT) team, executed a search warrant at 25486 Deer Lane, in Bend, Oregon. The execution of this search warrant was the result of a lengthy investigation into the manufacture and distribution of Butane Hash/Honey Oil (BHO).
The initial investigation by CODE detectives identified David Wyrsch, Sean Wyrsch, and Jacob Robe as being involved in the manufacture and sales of BHO at their residence at 25486 Deer Lane. Sean and David are brothers and Jacob is their step-brother. The three were identified as having a BHO laboratory at the location and they were distributing the extract out of the state for profit. It was confirmed these individuals did not have any medical or recreational license or legal authority to manufacture or distribute BHO.
"Hash oil," also known as "honey oil," is derived from marijuana. The "hash" or "honey" is concentrated Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. "Hash oil" is manufactured by utilizing highly flammable materials, such as Butane, to refine and concentrate the THC, making a product which can range upwards to 90% THC content. Today's marijuana sold in recreational and medical dispensaries typically have THC content ranging from 15% to 20%, and some as high as 30%. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of marijuana BHO lab explosions in Oregon in recent years.
While this investigation was ongoing by the CODE team, an Oregon State Police trooper conducted a routine traffic stop in Klamath County on a vehicle that Jacob Robe was driving. This stop was not made pursuant to CODE intelligence. This OSP trooper found a small amount of BHO extract and a substantial amount of US currency in the vehicle. Through interagency cooperation and information sharing this stop was connected to the active CODE investigation.
On March 28th, 2018, CODE detectives obtained a search warrant at the residence. At about 7:05 am, members of the CERT team executed the search warrant. The OSP SWAT team also assisted the CERT team in this execution. David Wyrsch was the only occupant at the residence at the time of execution. He was taken into custody without incident.
Members of the Oregon State Police Clandestine Laboratory team assisted with ensuring the location was safe before detectives began search efforts for evidence.
CODE detectives searched the residence for evidence. In addition, members of the OSP Hidta Interdiction Team (HIT) and OSP Northwest Region Marijuana Enforcement team assisted with search.
Detectives seized 179 mature marijuana plants, 280 seedlings (less than 12 inches tall), over 200 pounds of packaged marijuana, over 18 pounds of BHO extract, 13 firearms, and the components of a fully operational BHO laboratory. The laboratory was found in the attached garage and the grow was in an adjacent outbuilding.
An individual, 21 and older, may legally possess, in a household, up to four mature marijuana plants, eight ounces of marijuana leaf or bud, and one ounce of extracts. The possession of 16 times the amount of plant, leaf, or bud is a felony. Possessing more than one quarter ounce of an extract is a felony as well.
At the time of this release, Sean Wyrsch has not been arrested for his involvement in this investigation. David Wyrsch was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on the below listed charges. Jacob Robe was issued a citation to appear related to the OSP traffic stop in Klamath County.
This case has been forwarded to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution and consideration of charges against all three individuals.
Charge(s):
David Karl Wyrsch:
Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana-Extract ORS 475B.349 (3)(c)
Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana-Plants ORS 475B.349(3)(b)(A)
Unlawful Delivery of Marijuana-ORS 475B.346 (2)
Unlawful Possession of Marijuana- ORS 475B.337
The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies: Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney's, and the Oregon National Guard.