Authorities in Chiang Mai, Thailand, arrested a female vendor, known only as Paul, for the illegal sale of magic mushrooms after a British tourist died from consuming them.
On December 24, police from the Investigation Division of Provincial Police Region 5, in collaboration with the Provincial Public Health Office, raided a cannabis shop located on Tha Pae Road in the Mueang District. The shop owner, identified as Paul, was apprehended on charges of selling psilocybin mushrooms, a substance classified as a Category 5 drug under Thai law.
The arrest followed a sting operation, where an undercover officer purchased a pack of magic mushrooms for 500 baht. A subsequent search revealed a large quantity of illegal mushrooms in Paul’s possession.
Paul now faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 baht for violating the Narcotics Act, which forbids the production, distribution, or possession of Category 5 drugs.
The arrest occurred after the tragic death of 25-year-old British tourist Vadher Raj Akhil. Akhil, who was visiting Chiang Mai with his girlfriend, was found dead in his hotel room with foam around his mouth. An autopsy revealed that his death was due to the excessive consumption of magic mushrooms. Akhil’s girlfriend later confirmed that they had purchased the drugs from Paul’s shop.
In the UK, magic mushrooms are illegal, and possession can lead to severe penalties, including up to seven years in prison. While some countries like the Bahamas, Brazil, and Jamaica have legalized the use of magic mushrooms under strict regulations, they remain illegal for medical use in both Thailand and the UK.