BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. — A package from a foreign country containing ingredients to create illegal hallucinogens led narcotics agents to discover a DMT lab and explosive-making materials inside a home in Chico.
According to Homeland Security Investigations, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized multiple kilograms of Mimosa hostilis bark, used to create DMT—an illegal hallucinogen—bound for a home in Chico. The shipment, which originated from a foreign country, was reportedly being sent to a “T. Gaugush” at 2165 Laurel Street in Chico.
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, agents from the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) and the Special Enforcement Unit of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the home on Laurel St.
While searching the home, BINTF said agents found a DMT clandestine laboratory and what appeared to be precursor chemicals for making explosives. In the same area of the explosive chemicals, the BINTF said agents also found multiple electronic devices, timers and battery packs that had been deconstructed and/or manipulated.
One adult was found at the home and detained, according to the BINTF. They said a child was also present in the house, so agents notified Children’s Services Division to assist.
BINTF said they requested the assistance of the Butte County Interagency Bomb Squad to assess the alleged explosive precursor chemicals. After their assessment, bomb technicians determined the chemicals were in fact precursor materials for the production of explosives, and later assisted with the safe handling of the materials.
