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 veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
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 Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI]
#11993917 - 02/09/10 07:26 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation
February 9, 2010 - htrnews.com
 MANITOWOC — While investigating the Dec. 24 death of a 26-year-old man, Manitowoc police detectives discovered what they called the city's largest psilocybin mushroom growing operation yet.
Kristopher J. Huycke, who lived at 2408A Wollmer St., died while hospitalized on Dec. 22. He had collapsed at his home.
Toxicology reports released Wednesday showed the man died of natural causes attributed to existing health problems.
Huycke tested negative for psilocybin, Detective David Vorpahl said. Psilocybin mushrooms are not considered lethal themselves.
However, cocaine metabolites were found in his system, Vorpahl said, indicating that Huycke used cocaine prior to his death.
Because Huycke was a young man, detectives and medical staff at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay initially didn't rule out the possibility of an accidental drug overdose or suicide, Vorpahl said.
Unexpectedly, Vorpahl found a "very sophisticated" psilocybin mushroom growing operation in Huycke's apartment. The mushrooms are known for their hallucinogenic effects.
"We don't see psilocybin very often here," Vorpahl said.
The investigation
On Dec. 23, Vorpahl and Manitowoc County Coroner Curtis Green were authorized to go to Huycke's home to take photos of damage the door sustained from it being forced open by paramedics and to find a possible suicide note.
While inside, some items pointed to a possible growing operation, including:
A book the explains how to grow psychedelic mushrooms, a note taped on his computer screen and one scribbled on a phone book cover referencing being under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms, plastic bins all over the apartment, a pressure cooker and syringes.
A family member of Huycke, who was present, also found a plastic tub containing what appeared to be spores inside of the refrigerator.
Search warrant
Vorpahl, along with Detective Sgt. Brian Swetlik and investigators from the Metro Drug Unit, obtained a warrant from the district attorney's office to search the home for psychedelic mushroom cultivation.
Because of possible danger from mold and spores, the Manitowoc Fire Department and other state law enforcement agencies advised the men to wear protective suits, gloves, footgear and masks.
In nearly every room of his small apartment, there were several large plastic tubs with psychedelic mushrooms growing inside.
Shortly after the initial gathering of evidence, a family member who was cleaning behind a refrigerator found a door behind it that led to a hidden room with additional tubs containing mushrooms and called detectives to the apartment again.
Vorpahl said a weight or value estimate that would quantify the amount of drugs seized was not available.
"If he was alive and we were to pursue him, the evidence list would have to be very detailed," Vorpahl said. "The investigation has been turned over to the Metro Drug Unit for any further analysis."
Items on list
Some items on the evidence list included dozens of jars of spores growing in liquid placed among 16 plastic tubs. Two smaller tubs also containing growing spores were taken from the apartment. Other tubs contained organic white material with spores growing in the mycelium stage.
Every tub was dated and labeled according to what type of spore was growing, Vorpahl said.
Many of the tubs were outfitted with tubes so Huycke could put his hands in the tubs to manicure the mushrooms without them being exposed to air, Vorpahl said.
Some tubs had thermometers attached or were modified with screens and airflow holes, Vorpahl said.
The syringes were used to inject jars with liquids through self-sealing lids made from wax, Vorpahl said.
"Mushrooms require a very controlled environment," Vorpahl said.
A family member of Huycke told Vorpahl that he didn't use or sell the psychedelic mushrooms, but was more interested in the science of growing them.
"His friends said he was 'ridiculously, stupidly good at it,'" the family member told Vorpahl. "I wish he had found a different outlet to use his intellect."
More on psilocybin mushrooms
These "magic mushrooms" are generally grown in Mexico and Central America. Psilocybin is structurally similar to serotonin, and produces its effects by disrupting normal functioning of the serotonin system, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America Web site.
Once ingested, mushrooms generally cause feelings of nausea before the desired mental effects appear. The high from using magic mushrooms is mild and may cause altered feelings and distorted perceptions of touch, sight, sound and taste, according to the Web site.
Other effects can include nervousness and paranoia. Effects can be different during each use due to varying potency, the amount ingested, and the user's expectations, mood, surroundings and frame of mind, according to the Web site.
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veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 13,985
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: veggie]
#11993926 - 02/09/10 07:30 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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"the city's largest psilocybin mushroom growing operation yet" 
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 TheSeeker78
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: veggie]
#11993964 - 02/09/10 07:40 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Shortly after the initial gathering of evidence, a family member who was cleaning behind a refrigerator found a door behind it that led to a hidden room with additional tubs containing mushrooms and called detectives to the apartment again.
Yo, how big was this dudes apartment? Found tubs in the walls? How thick are the walls?
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"I do not fear failing...rather I fear being successful at something that does not matter."
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wowitch17
Growery is Better
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: veggie]
#11993972 - 02/09/10 07:43 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
veggie said:
"the city's largest psilocybin mushroom growing operation yet"
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winterone
Earth Wanderer
Registered: 11/08/09
Posts: 230
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: veggie]
#11993973 - 02/09/10 07:43 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Because of possible danger from mold and spores, the Manitowoc Fire Department and other state law enforcement agencies advised the men to wear protective suits, gloves, footgear and masks.
I wonder what these peoples frigerators look like? Aspergilis niger excists everywhere (black mold) and have seen it eat through a tempered glass petri dish.
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Alice
I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!
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tealeaf
Sky was yellowSun was blue
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: winterone]
#11994011 - 02/09/10 07:56 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Psilocybin mushrooms are not considered lethal themselves.
finally some journalist isnt ignorant!
Quote:
"the city's largest psilocybin mushroom growing operation yet"
they said they found numerous tubs, thats just a pic of one of them. plus they were all liquid culture. i dont know if you have worked with that before but one jar can make one hell of an amount of fungus. may not seem like a large operation but due to the remote location (manitowok=farm) and liquid cultures, it could have been one.
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Epilson Lyrae
Armed with hammers
Registered: 04/07/09
Posts: 5,550
Loc: Woody Creek
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: tealeaf]
#11994029 - 02/09/10 08:00 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Again the age old question, I wonder if this guy would frequent certain websites {clears throat}
It looks a lot like some of the stuff you see here.
Any members come up missing lately?
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"Freedom is something that dies unless it's used." H.T.
I've come to believe that the heart is the filter of the enlightened mind. Epilson Lyrae
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veggie
Registered: 07/25/04
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Loc:
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: tealeaf]
#11994058 - 02/09/10 08:09 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Right you are. "It could have been" and probably was considering this was Manitowoc.
"He didn't use or sell the psychedelic mushrooms, but was more interested in the science of growing them" said a family member. It's tragic this man died at a young age from existing health problems. It's also sad that had he survived his illness he would most likely be incarcerated for a long time for his scientific hobby.
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Adamist
fucking aliens, bro
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: tealeaf]
#11994065 - 02/09/10 08:11 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
"His friends said he was 'ridiculously, stupidly good at it,'
Wicked good.
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illuminati
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: Adamist]
#11994165 - 02/09/10 08:32 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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If this was the largest bust in Manitowoc, I am so glad they didn't write an article in the paper about my bust. They would have made me out to look like the Pablo Escobar of mushrooms.
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I didn't get turned on I just got turned
I wasn't as aroused as I was concerned
for each one of 'em I've hurt
and every time I've been burned
I've got a lot to teach but even more to learn
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Melusina
Registered: 03/19/09
Posts: 426
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: veggie]
#11995515 - 02/09/10 12:24 PM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
The high from using magic mushrooms is mild
Edited by Melusina (02/09/10 12:25 PM)
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dr_gonz
Registered: 08/18/03
Posts: 41,617
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: veggie]
#11995825 - 02/09/10 01:12 PM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
veggie said:
It's also sad that had he survived his illness he would most likely be incarcerated for a long time for his scientific hobby.
If I'm him at that point, I'm happy I'm dead, and away from the archaic laws of this land.
Just my 2 cents. It's sad we have to think along these lines, eh?
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djcube
BadEggs
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: dr_gonz]
#11997592 - 02/09/10 05:25 PM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Depending on his record he wouldnt get it that bad... Im pretty sure it would still be worth living...
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illuminati
Strangler
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: djcube]
#11997762 - 02/09/10 05:54 PM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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They'd probably stick it to him pretty hard if it was the "biggest bust ever" in that city or whatever. Max 10 years, but assuming he had no record he probably wouldn't get anywhere near that.
100th Post!
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I didn't get turned on I just got turned
I wasn't as aroused as I was concerned
for each one of 'em I've hurt
and every time I've been burned
I've got a lot to teach but even more to learn
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Rabid Jelly Bean
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: veggie]
#12000937 - 02/10/10 08:21 AM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Why do they always wear hazard suits? Are they really that dumb or are they just trying to scare people.
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illuminati
Strangler
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Re: Manitowoc detectives find 'magic mushroom' operation [WI] [Re: Rabid Jelly Bean]
#12002921 - 02/10/10 01:41 PM (2 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
Rabid Jelly Bean said:
Why do they always wear hazard suits? Are they really that dumb or are they just trying to scare people.
I think they really are that dumb. When I got busted, I had premade bags of substrate sitting on a shelf above all my other equipment, and my girlfriend was in the house while they were searching. She said one of the cops was like, "Are those mushrooms?" (referring to the bags) And the "drug investigator" said, "Yup." Then they proceeded to tell her that mushrooms are grown by injecting spores into jars full of birdseed, and once the jars are fully colonized, the grower "shakes all the birdseed out and that's where the mushrooms are."
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I didn't get turned on I just got turned
I wasn't as aroused as I was concerned
for each one of 'em I've hurt
and every time I've been burned
I've got a lot to teach but even more to learn
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