Hash oil suspect busted
VAIL — A Vail resident is facing multiple felony charges following his arrest Friday.
The arrest of Mark Petrina, 28, follows an investigation by the Vail Police Department and the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office which confirmed reports of an illegal hash oil lab at Petrina’s residence in the Intermountain neighborhood in West Vail, police said.
Investigators secured and executed a search warrant for Petrina’s home, located within a multi-unit complex, on Friday. In addition to the illegal butane hash oil lab, investigators seized U.S. currency, marijuana and marijuana concentrate, according to police.
The process of butane hash oil extraction is known to be highly volatile and has resulted in three previous explosions in Eagle County since the legalization of recreational marijuana. Petrina is the store manager of the recreational marijuana dispensary Native Roots in Eagle-Vail. Investigators say the amount of the butane involved would be capable of producing hash oil product with a street value of approximately $34,000.
Petrina has been charged with extraction of marijuana concentrate and offenses relating to marijuana.
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“The brazen disregard for the safety of surrounding residents is unacceptable,” said Vail Police Chief Dwight Henninger. “Swift action allowed us to stay ahead of a potentially catastrophic outcome.”
Chief Henninger credited a strong partnership with the community in reporting suspicious activity and a collaborative investigation strategy with the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and the Eagle County District Attorney’s Office in making the arrest.
Anyone with information about this incident or who wishes to report suspicious activity should contact the Vail Public Safety Communications Center at 970-479-2201. Callers may remain anonymous.
