Apartment fire traced to marijuana operation

SANTA BARBARA — Just a block from the downtown Central Fire Station, a 6 a.m. blaze Monday had city fire crews responding with Santa Barbara Police Department units in support.

Initially summoned by neighbors alerted by apartment building smoke detectors, fire crews discovered a triplex unit fully engulfed in flames and smoke. The conflagration was quickly upgraded to a two-alarm status, commanding the response of four engine companies, a battalion chief and illumination units to bring light to the pre-dawn scene. According to fire Capt. Gary Pitney, arriving fire crews found no occupants in the unit.

An hour later, arson investigators called in Police Narcotics Team investigators, who quickly determined the cause of the fire was attributable to an illegal operation converting marijuana residue into cannabis oil to be used in edibles. Evidence found included approximately 30 butane bottles, a safe containing in excess of a full pound of marijuana, and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Santa Barbara police spokesman Lt. Paul McCaffrey said that Luis Antonio Murillo Aguirre, 30, and Krista Marie Gary, 23, were arrested on multiple charges, including unlawful possession of marijuana for sale, unlawful conversion of marijuana, and conspiracy.