- Weston Soule, 21, ran the farm from his home in Burlington, about 20 miles west of Hartford
- An anonymous tip led to an investigation by state police and local DEA officials
- Police were able to seize approximately $8.5 million worth of various psychedelic mushrooms in various stages of development
A Connecticut man has been arrested and charged after authorities reportedly discovered a multi-million dollar mushroom farm that some described as a factory at his suburban home.
Weston Soule, 21, ran the farm from his home in Burlington, about 20 miles west of Hartford.
An anonymous tip led to an investigation by state police and local DEA officials.
On Thursday, police raided the home and discovered ‘a large mushroom farm’.
“Detectives made contact with Soule and observed ventilation equipment consistent with those found in clandestine laboratories throughout the residence,” state police said in a news release.
Weston Soule, 21, ran the farm from his home in Burlington, about 20 miles west of Hartford
Soule had initially tried to prevent detectives from entering his home even though they had obtained search warrants.
Photos from the lab show multiple shelves filled with large bags of mushrooms from the ceiling to the floor in many rooms of the house.
Outside the house, police deposited the astonishing amount of drugs that Soule kept and grew.
Police were able to seize approximately $8.5 million worth of various psychedelic mushrooms in various stages of development.
Soule tried to claim that nothing he grew was illegal before he was forced to admit that they were “psilocybin.”
Psilocybin is what is commonly referred to as ‘magic mushrooms’ and is illegal to grow and sell.
Magic mushrooms generally resemble regular mushrooms, but they are hallucinogenic and can alter the user’s mood.
On Thursday, police raided the home and discovered ‘a large mushroom growing operation’
Soule had initially tried to prevent detectives from entering his home even though they had search warrants
Soule tried to claim that nothing he grew was illegal before he was forced to admit that they were “psilocybin.” Psilocybin is what is commonly referred to as ‘magic mushrooms’ and is illegal to grow and sell
Photos from the laboratory show multiple shelves filled with large bags of mushrooms from the ceiling to the floor in many rooms of the house
Outside the house, police deposited the astonishing amount of drugs that Soule kept and grew
They are known as a Schedule 1 substance, defined as “drugs, substances, and chemicals that are not currently accepted for medical use and have a high risk of abuse.”
Soule was arrested at the scene and charged with possession with intent to sell/distribute narcotics and with operating a drug factory.
Each charge carries a maximum of three years in prison and an additional fine.
He was held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Nov. 16.