Fungi folly: Couple arrested for selling hallucinogenic mushrooms

Police apprehended a couple involved in the illegal cultivation and sale of hallucinogenic mushrooms, claiming spiritual enlightenment and healing powers. Despite openly defying law enforcement to intervene, their bravado was shattered when they were ensnared by an undercover agent.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau Chief, Thiti Saengsawang, yesterday, May 27, directed a team led by Napasin Poolsawat, along with Thiradet Thammasuteer and other officers, to arrest 36 year old Amita, and 40 year old Banyong at a condominium in Chatuchak, Bangkok.

Authorities charged the couple with possessing, attempting to sell, and manufacturing a category 5 narcotics (hallucinogenic mushrooms) illegally.

Confiscated items included 181 plastic bags of mushrooms weighing 117 kilogrammes, along with various cultivation and distribution equipment such as a mobile phone, air purifier, humidifier, drying machine, weighing scale, cleaning alcohol, thermometer, and a box of gloves.

Acting on a tip-off, the police discovered that Amita and Banyong were cultivating and selling hallucinogenic mushrooms online and delivering them via a private courier service.

The police then executed a sting operation, purchasing 10 grammes of dried mushrooms for 1,111 baht through Banyong’s Facebook Messenger.

Banyong informed the undercover officer that only fresh mushrooms were available and requested a bank transfer. Upon receiving the payment slip bearing Banyong’s name, he arranged for the delivery via a motorcycle courier.

Caught red-handed

Around 4pm, police observed Amita carrying a brown bag, suspecting it contained mushrooms. Upon inspection, they found 200 grammes of fresh mushrooms, leading to her arrest.

Amita confessed that more mushrooms were stored and cultivated in their condominium unit, where Banyong was also present.

The officers found a large quantity of mushrooms and cultivation equipment, resulting in further charges and their transfer to Phaholyothin Police Station.

Amita revealed that she previously managed an entertainment venue in Sukhumvit before moving in with Banyong. She was drawn to Moldavite, a type of meteorite, and Banyong imported and sold these minerals, earning substantial income.

They began using and cultivating hallucinogenic mushrooms together, influenced by friends who claimed the mushrooms offered spiritual enlightenment.

Banyong admitted to cultivating mushrooms for sale and personal use for about two years, mainly learning from YouTube, TikTok, and Google. They created a course promoting mushrooms as a cure for mental health issues and addiction, charging 11,111 baht per session.

Spiritual enlightenment

Banyong claimed to have achieved spiritual enlightenment, positioning himself as a deity with the ability to perceive all worldly matters, linking his mineral sales to the mushrooms’ purported benefits.

The couple’s activities extended to organising trips, including a recent event in Trat where participants consumed mushrooms, leading to some vomiting. They even offered mushrooms at a local shrine, believing it to be an honourable act.

Online sales of the mushrooms were claimed to be life-saving, sold at 100 baht per gramme, with monthly earnings from sales and courses reaching several hundred thousand baht, reported Khaosod.

Despite publicly challenging law enforcement, asserting they were untouchable, their illegal operations have now been halted.