Stamford man charged with hallucinogenic operation

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — Police seeking to arrest a Stamford man who did not pay a 2011 ticket for playing his home stereo too loudly say they stumbled on an alleged hallucinogenic mushroom growing operation and instead arrested him on drug charges.

The Advocate of Stamford reports that Dimitri Taranov was charged on Wednesday with illegal cultivation of a hallucinogen and manufacture of a controlled substance.

Capt. Richard Conklin said the 43-year-old Taranov operated an elaborate hallucinogenic mushroom growing operation. He says police were lucky to "stumble upon" the operation as it was beginning.

No mushrooms were growing.

It was not known Friday if Taranov is represented by a lawyer. He was held on $500,000 bond.