Business · India Bureau
Florida man arrested for selling hallucinogenic plants via Facebook
A Florida resident faces multiple drug charges after authorities seized over 130 live plants and quantities of controlled substances from his home. The investigation centred on the alleged sale of hallucinogenic cacti and mushrooms through the social media marketplace.
LSN India ·
Law enforcement in Hillsborough County, Florida, has arrested a man following an investigation into the online sale of hallucinogenic plants and fungi. Investigators conducted a search of the suspect's residence in Riverview, where they recovered a significant cache of controlled botanical materials.
The seizure included 131 live plants, approximately 50 pounds of mescaline-containing cacti, and 1.5 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. The plants were allegedly being marketed and sold through Facebook Marketplace, the social media giant's classified advertisements platform.
Mescaline and psilocybin are both controlled substances in the United States. Mescaline is derived from certain cacti species including peyote and San Pedro cacti, while psilocybin is the psychoactive compound found in certain mushroom varieties. Both compounds are classified as Schedule I drugs under federal law.
The suspect now faces multiple drug-related charges. The case highlights ongoing challenges for law enforcement in monitoring online marketplaces for the sale of controlled substances, particularly those marketed as botanical or horticultural products.