Officers Uncover Suspected Drug Lab In Santa Barbara Neighborhood

A Santa Barbara man is under arrest, accused of manufacturing drugs inside his home.

It all began on Saturday night when firefighters responded to a structure fire on the 700 block of De La Vina.

When they arrived, they found 26-year-old Laurence Larsen suffering from burns to his arms.

Inside the home, there was extensive fire and smoke damage in the kitchen.

Deputies from the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office said Larsen was likely cooking dimethyltriptamine or DMT, a powerful hallucinogenic drug.

Investigators said the process requires the extraction of chemicals from root bark using dangerous chemicals over an open flame.

They believe Larsen used paint thinner which overflowed and caused an explosion.

A neighbor heard Larsen’s cries and ran over to help put out the fire with an extinguisher.

Larsen was treated for his injuries and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for manufacturing an illegal substance and illegally causing a fire with injuries.

More charges could be filed once the investigation is over.

The Sheriff’s Office said this type of illegal activity is extremely dangerous and puts peoples lives and communities at risk.