St Helens man arrested and charged with manufacture and supply of marijuana | News

Information about the arrest was forwarded to the Columbia Enforcement Narcotics Team (CENT), which had already launched an investigation into Stebbins in early January after a citizen reported that Stebbins was involved in the distribution of large quantities of marijuana and a new substance The street is referred to with the names “weed wax”, “ear wax” or “marijuana wax”. The substance gets its name from its yellow-brown appearance and has a potency of up to 90 percent THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

“Weed wax is made from butane aerosol and resin from the leaves and buds of female marijuana plants,” said Detective Sgt. Phillip Edwards, CENT division chief.

In short, the substance can be highly hallucinogenic and potentially dangerous for certain people. Other reports suggest that people experienced episodes of psychosis after taking the substance, Edwards said.

After compiling all available information, CENT obtained a search warrant for Stebbins' residence. On Feb. 19, CENT detectives – assisted by uniformed officers from the St. Helens Police Department and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office – executed the warrant at 515 S. 11th St., in St. Helens. During the search, numerous items of evidentiary value were seized, including more than 1½ pounds of processed marijuana, approximately one pound of weed wax and cash totaling $10,275. Drug files and a loaded firearm were also seized.

Stebbins was arrested and charged with manufacture, delivery and possession of marijuana and lodged in the Columbia County Jail on $150,000 bail.

“This investigation brings to light an organization that introduced a new, more powerful marijuana-based substance, with its many uncertain and potentially dangerous effects, into our communities. As an agency charged with protecting the public, we are pleased we were able to intervene in this situation before it became an even greater public safety issue,” Edwards said.