Law enforcement officials made a shocking discovery when they received a tip about possible drug-dealing activities: they found dozens of bags of psychedelic mushrooms valued at approximately $8.5 million at a residence in rural Connecticut.
On Thursday, a drug task force comprising federal, state, and local authorities conducted a raid on the property in Burlington, located about 20 miles west of Hartford. They arrested a 21-year-old man and charged him with operating a drug factory and possessing narcotics with the intent to sell or distribute them.
Interestingly, this seizure occurred at a time when a number of states and cities in the United States have decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms and their active component, psilocybin. These substances are being explored as alternative treatments for mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder. According to Psychedelic Alpha, an organization that tracks legislation related to psychedelic drugs, around 20 other states are currently considering changing their laws regarding these substances. However, a recent attempt to decriminalize small amounts of psilocybin in Connecticut failed to pass in the state Senate.
Law enforcement officials received information that the resident of the Burlington home was running a psilocybin mushroom cultivation operation. Upon arriving at the property, they observed ventilation equipment that is commonly used in clandestine laboratories. The man, who was present at the time, led them to a detached garage where they discovered a large-scale mushroom growing operation. Surprisingly, the man claimed that the mushrooms were not illegal and refused to consent to a search of the main residence.
Authorities obtained a search warrant and proceeded to find psilocybin-containing mushrooms at various stages of growth. State police released photographs showing numerous bags of mushrooms lined up outside the house, as well as stacked on metal shelves inside. The photos also revealed the presence of portable ventilators and other related equipment.
Once the police entered the residence with the warrant, the man confessed that the mushrooms were indeed psilocybin, which is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. According to state police, Schedule 1 substances are drugs, chemicals, or substances that currently lack accepted medical use and have a high potential for abuse. The man was able to post bail of $250,000 and has been ordered to appear in state court in New Britain on November 16. No contact information for him was found in public records, and there is no listing of a lawyer representing him. Additionally, phone numbers associated with potential relatives were no longer in service.
In 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize small amounts of psychedelics and approve the supervised use of psilocybin in therapeutic settings. Two years later, Colorado voters passed a ballot measure to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and establish state-regulated centers where individuals can experience the drug under supervision. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a bill that aimed to decriminalize the possession and personal use of several hallucinogens, including psychedelic mushrooms. Newsom cited the need for regulated guidelines in the state before taking such a step.
It is worth noting that the federal Food and Drug Administration designated psilocybin as a “breakthrough therapy” for treatment-resistant depression in 2019. The agency also recently published a draft guideline on the use of psychedelics in clinical trials. Public opinion has been shifting in favor of the therapeutic use of psychedelics, particularly among military veterans dealing with trauma and other illnesses.
