Police raid the first 'Rosin Hash' laboratory in Spain

The National Police have dismantled the first laboratory in Spain for a new narcotic substance known as 'rosin' in the municipality of Arona in the south of Tenerife. This substance is an ultra-concentrated derivative of hashish that, through various filtration, freezing, and drying processes – followed by pressing and purification – transforms into a highly pure substance known as 'rosin' or 'rosin hash.'

Five people, including the main suspect caught cooking the drug inside the laboratory, and those responsible for various cannabis clubs in Arona and Adeje, have been arrested.

During the raids, officers seized 1.7 kilograms of 'rosin,' 167 containers of the substance's resin, 54 kilograms of marijuana, 145 plants, and 2 kilograms of hashish. Additionally, they confiscated the machinery being used in the laboratory and €15,000 in cash, as detailed in an official press release from the National Police this morning.

The investigation was opened after information was received through the official email account of the National Police [email protected]. They were made aware of an Italian citizen allegedly producing a new narcotic substance in a clandestine laboratory located in a basement in Arona.

Following initial inquiries, agents observed how the main suspect, a 29-year-old man, continuously entered and exited the location of the alleged laboratory, and also noted his frequent visits to various cannabis clubs in the south Tenerife municipalities of Arona and Adeje.

After several police surveillances, it was observed that after the main suspect left these clubs, there was a significant increase in people entering and exiting after a short period, indicating that the sale of 'rosin,' a newly created narcotic substance presented in specially prepared glass pots, was taking place.

The dismantled laboratory used the 'bubble hash' method to obtain the narcotic. Using this technique, approximately 75 kilograms of marijuana buds were required to produce one kilogram of 'rosin.' The extraction was performed with the wet plant, streamlining the process by eliminating the need for drying.

Fresh buds were placed in a bucket with ice and water, where trichome heads were released and filtered through various screens to produce different types of 'rosin.' After filtration, they were collected by size, frozen, resulting in a paste of various colours depending on the drug's quality.

The frozen paste was then dehydrated yielding 'rosin,' a high-quality hashish derivative, ready for the final step of producing 'rosin hash' by pressing it.

Moreover, the main suspect used a machine to apply heat, demonstrating a deep understanding of temperature management, as the purity and final product quality depend on it. This substance was stored in glass jars and kept cold to ensure proper preservation and maintain THC levels.

After the arrests took place, the five individuals were brought before the court. The main suspect was provisionally imprisoned, and the laboratory was completely dismantled.