Two Limpopo men arrested for allegedly dealing in ”magic mushrooms” were released on R1 000 bail each in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court this week, provincial police said on Thursday.
Superintendent Ronel Otto said Thomas Rudman (35) was arrested at a farm in Magoebaskloof between Polokwane and Tzaneen on Monday after police confiscated dried mushrooms.
His case was postponed to October 15 for further investigation.
An alleged accomplice, local businessman Robin McIntosh (38) was arrested in Polokwane on Wednesday, said Otto. The case against him was postponed to October 31.
Police seized 6,8kg of the illegal mushrooms at McIntosh’s house.
The mushrooms seized at the properties of Rudman and McIntosh have a combined street value of about
R310 000. They were destroyed after the arrests.
The mushrooms contained in plastic bags were dried, broken into pieces and preserved in small bottles of honey.
Otto said the mushrooms were cultivated on the Magoebaskloof farm. Police suspected they were to be sold at night clubs and rave clubs.
The mushrooms contain the substance psilocybin which is listed in the drug trafficking act. This substance has a similar effect on the body as the LSD, also causing hallucinations. – Sapa