Russian arrested in Phuket for illegal mushroom possession
A 29 year old Russian national was arrested in Phuket for possessing hallucinogenic buffalo dung mushrooms, a substance classified under Thailand’s Type 5 narcotics, without permission. The arrest occurred today, May 9, during a coordinated operation by police in Patong, a district in the Kathu area of the island.
The operation, led by police chiefs Chalermchai Hernsawat and Sompron Surin, along with their team, including Phornpricha Chaikarn, apprehended the individual at the border between Patong and Kamala. The suspect was found in possession of the psychoactive fungi, which, when consumed, induces effects similar to those of powerful hallucinogens like LSD, causing nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, sensory distortions, and, in some cases, dangerous and life-threatening reactions.
According to the report, the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin contained in these mushrooms can have a profound impact on the nervous system. Individuals who consume them may experience a range of sensations, from euphoria to intense visual and auditory hallucinations.
Long-term users may develop a tolerance, requiring increasingly larger doses to achieve the same effects. In extreme cases, particularly with high doses or among individuals with low resistance, consumption can lead to severe intoxication and even death, as the toxicity of buffalo dung mushrooms is similar to that of controlled drugs, reported KhaoSod.
The police have charged the individual with the illegal possession of narcotics and have taken him into custody for further investigation. The confiscated mushrooms will serve as evidence in the legal proceedings to follow.
In related news, The tranquil resort town of Patong was startled as police swooped on a local shop, apprehending one individual for the illegal sale of mushrooms. The Patong Police confirmed the raid, which took place around 12.10am on November 6 last year.
The illicit merchandise seized by the police was an assortment of mushrooms, each variety carefully stored in separate jars.
