We seem to think alike. I posted the same links many pages back because I was searching for drug cartels in that area. If this THC lab
http://wp2.pikecosheriff.com/?p=1483 was actually the Rhoden family compound then I'm with you that they became informants or they were getting put away for a long time.
The shatter lab article specifically talks about trying to find out where the shipments came from and what connections there were outside the area. Well - those are distribution channels and they lead to the big guys/cartels. Very dangerous. Maybe the killings were to shut them up before they gave any information.
Btw I don't understand why Sheriff Reader doesn't know what THC is for. My state is pot-friendly, so to speak, so now I'm familiar with this stuff. THC is used in edibles. I don't think they smoke it, as he said. We've had quite a few bozos blow the sides of their houses out trying to make it.