MUSHROOM BUST MAGICAL

City cops have smashed what's thought to be the biggest magic mushroom grow
and trafficking operation in Calgary's history.

Officers from District 2 backed up by the drug unit raided a home on
Prominence Path N.W. yesterday after receiving a tip, where they seized 865
bags of psilocybin, or magic mushrooms.

"These mushrooms were growing on a sophisticated rack system inside the
master bedroom," said Det. Ryan Dobson. "This was an aggressive operation,
and we conservatively estimate the value of the magic mushrooms at $300,000.

"It's possible if the bags we seized produced more of the drug, the street
value could be double that."

Police know the growers were making plans for the future, which have now
been wrecked.

"We also found approximately 75 large jars of mushroom spores in the
basement, which were to be used to start another crop," said Dobson. Magic
mushrooms are fungi which produce hallucinogenic effects when eaten.

Robert Douglas Redfern, 35, is charged with cultivation of magic mushrooms
and possession for the purpose of trafficking.