A man in the USA has been arrested after he allegedly ran a secret USD 8.5 million psychedelic mushroom factory inside his home.
Weston Soule, 21, from the town of Burlington, in the US state of Connecticut, was charged with possession with intent to sell or distribute narcotics and operating a drug factory.
It followed after Connecticut State Police found out he was running a USD 8.5 million (GBP 6.8 million) worth of psilocybin mushroom growing factory inside his home at 109 Lyon Road.
The bust came after a tip to The Drug Enforcement Administration Hartford Task Force on Thursday morning, 2nd November.
Upon arriving at the residence, investigators made contact with Soule and spotted ventilation equipment throughout the home consistent with those used in clandestine laboratories.
He then accompanied them to a detached garage on the property where the law enforcement officers found a massive mushroom-growing operation.
Police photos show hundreds of white bagged mushrooms in several quadrants along the house’s front garden.
When questioned, Soule claimed that the species he was growing were not illegal such as psilocybin. He however did not agree to a search of the residence when asked.
Connecticut State Police said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “Detectives then submitted a search warrant to New Britain Superior Court, which was subsequently granted.”
Police came back to Soule’s home later that day with a search warrant and uncovered the factory with various psilocybin mushrooms in various stages of growth.
They reportedly had an estimated street value of USD 8.5 million (GBP 6.8 million).
The police said: “Soule afterward admitted to investigators that the mushrooms were in fact psilocybin, which is a Schedule 1 controlled substance.
“A Schedule 1 controlled substance is defined as drugs, substances, and chemicals that are not currently accepted for medical use and have a high potential for abuse.”
Soule was then taken into custody at the scene and transported to Troop L in the town of Litchfield.
The suspect was held on a USD 250,000 (GBP 201,882) bond and is scheduled to appear at the New Britain Superior Court on Thursday, 16th November.
