The Associated Press
Espanola, N.M. (AP) -- New Mexico State police drug enforcement agents have seized more than 500 jars of hallucinogenic mushrooms and two grams of cocaine as part of a monthlong investigation.
State police spokesman Lt. Jimmy Glascock said agents found 348 jars of mushroom cultures and 220 jars of mushrooms at a more advanced stage of cultivation after executing a search warrant at a Espanola home on Monday.
No arrests were made in connection with the seizure, but the case remains under investigation, Glascock said.
A Farmington man who was at the house _ Ernest Paul Thomas, 42 _ was arrested on an unrelated drug-trafficking warrant.
With each jar worthy of producing 2 ounces of mushrooms, Glascock said officers estimated the street value at $220,000.
Glascock, who was a narcotics officer for four years, said busts for small amounts of mushrooms are common but it’s rare that agents seize an illegal mushroom manufacturing process.
Authorities said the illicit mushrooms are common with teenagers and recreational drug users.
“We consider the elimination of a source of supply of this nature a significant impact on the community,” said Lt. Jesse Orozco of the State Police Narcotics Investigation Section.