The police confiscated for the first time psychedelic or “magic” mushrooms worth P316,000 in a subdivision in Brgy. Cabug, Bacolod City, at 10:35 p.m. Monday, July 17.
Street-level targets Diane and Franz Jovi Tolmo, who are siblings, and Fierre Santillana were arrested in a buy bust operation at One Community Subdivision, the police reported.
Seized were 13 grams of shabu worth P88,400 and 3.61 kilos of magic mushroom with a market value of P316,000, the report added.
PMaj. Joery Puerto, Police Station 5 Commander, told DIGICAST NEGROS that this is the first time that they have recovered magic mushrooms in Bacolod City.
Franz Tolmo told them the confiscated magic mushrooms were sourced from a resident of Don Salvador Benedicto town, Negros Occidental, and were foraged in the wild, Puerto said.
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are used as recreational drugs which can induce hallucination or psychedelic effects when ingested.
He said that in their interview with Franz, they were told that the confiscated magic mushrooms were sourced from a resident in Don Salvador Benedicto town, Negros Occidental, and were foraged in the wild.
Puerto said that too much consumption of the magic mushrooms can be poisonous, and that their use and distribution are prohibited under Philippine laws.
He said that under Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Law consumption of these mushrooms, which are not FDA approved, can be punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Puerto reminded the public that it is illegal to consume magic mushrooms and they should be aware of its effects.
The suspects, who are now under police custody, will face charges for violation of R.A. 9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009) and RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), he added.*