The Ottawa Police Service raided nine illegal “magic mushroom” shops across the city, after several similar stores
caught
fire
within recent weeks.
The OPS said in a news release on Monday officers searched nine stores that were accused of selling psilocybin, often known as “magic mushrooms.”
Police said they searched the following nine locations:
- Two locations in the 100 block of Montreal Road
- 1–100 block of Northside Road
- 300 block of Churchill Avenue
- 700 block of Somerset Street West
- 900 block of St. Laurent Boulevard
- Two locations in the 200 block of Dalhousie Street
- 100 block of Rideau Street
They also seized over $10,000 in cash, more than 14 kilograms of dried psilocybin mushrooms and “significant quantities of psilocybin-based products,” which included
capsules, beverages, edibles and vape pens, according to Monday’s release.
Police also said they charged nine people with 18 offences, including possession for the purpose of trafficking a Schedule III substance and possession of proceeds of crime.
The OPS did not release the names of the nine people who were charged.
“The OPS is also issuing a warning to property owners and landlords: knowingly allowing illegal drug sales on their premises may result in criminal charges, proceeds of crime seizures, and forfeiture of assets,” police wrote in Monday’s news release.
The raid comes after three magic mushroom stores caught on fire last month. On Sept. 8, police said “suspicious” fires at two magic mushroom stores downtown — one on 156 Rideau Street and another at the 400 block of Preston Street — were reported within 15 minutes of each other.
Police then said they were investigating another suspicious fire at Fun Guyz Mushroom Store on Bank Street on Sept. 28.
“The Drugs and Street Crime Units remain focused on traffickers and groups distributing illegal drugs that cause the most harm to the community. While synthetic opioid traffickers, such as those dealing fentanyl and organized crime groups, continue to be a top priority, those involved in the drug trade who engage in violence or activities that threaten public safety also become top priorities for our teams,” Staff Sgt. James McGarry said in Monday’s release.
