Police Bust First Magic Mushroom Factory Found In UK For More Than 20 Years

Police have busted the first magic mushroom factory believed to have been discovered in the UK for over 20 years.

Officers from Cambridgeshire Police raided a house in Huntingdon in the early hours of yesterday morning (9 March), under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

SWNS

After entering the property, police found what they believe to be the first known magic mushroom factory in Cambridgeshire - and the first in the country since 1998.

Photographs shared on the Policing Huntingdonshire Facebook page show at least 11 silver foil trays filled with soil, growing the Class A fungi.

Officers also discovered a cannabis factory inside the property - the substance is classified as a Class B drug, meaning it's also illegal to possess or sell.

The total street value of the drugs growing inside the property was over £5,500 - and police also seized cash and other drug paraphernalia.

SWNS

A 26-year-old man and 24-year-old woman from Huntingdon were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs, production of cannabis, producing a controlled drug, money laundering and possession of drugs. They have since been bailed until 6 April.

PC Tom Russell from the Huntingdon Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We use information submitted by members of the public as well as our own intelligence to carry out drugs warrants.

"The public are often our eyes and ears and it's vital they continue to report information and concerns to us."

SWNS

Sharing the incident on Facebook, Huntingdon Police also said: "Officers will continue to make Huntingdon a Hostile place for drug supply."

The last known magic mushroom factory to be busted in the UK was in 1998, when vegan Richard Wilson, of Watford, Hertfordshire, was jailed for a year for growing the drug in a sophisticated factory inside an industrial unit.

Anyone who suspects drug dealing in their area can report it online here.

SWNS

Magic mushrooms have been classified as a Class A drug in the UK since 2005 - and it is therefore illegal to have this type of mushroom for yourself, to give away, or to sell.

In Australia, steps have been taken to reschedule magic mushrooms and MDMA, and investigations are being carried out to see whether they have any medicinal benefits.

Scientists are keen to see whether these two drugs could be used as treatments for mental health issues.

Topics: UK News, News, Drugs, UK

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

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