Man found dead in ‘magic mushroom’ grow house

A man was found dead in a grow house for illegal “magic mushrooms” Friday morning, Las Vegas police said.

Officers arrived about 1 a.m. at the apartment at 840 King Richard Ave., just east of McCarran International Airport in the southeast valley.

Police said the man’s roommate had called authorities after the man stopped breathing.

When officers arrived, they discovered the grow operation, which they said contained a “good size” psilocybin mushroom manufacturing lab.

Police said several ounces of the hallucinogenic fungus already were processed and ready for sale.

There were several other large mushroom plants growing in aquariums used for cultivation, police said. Hallucinogenic mushrooms have a street value of about $200 an ounce, police said. The drug is similar in effect to LSD, with the potential to cause intense panic, terror and paranoia, authorities said.

The man, who was not identified, appeared to be about 45 years old. The death was not deemed suspicious, but the county coroner’s office will determine the cause of death.

Police said officers investigating the lab had to use hazmat suits because of the toxic chemicals inside.

The roommate who called about the death has not been arrested.

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.