An unexpected discovery was made by Lincoln police while responding to an assault report on October 23, 2023, at a residence near Ninth and D streets, according to a report by 10/11 NOW.
The incident led to the uncovering of a psilocybin mushroom grow operation and the arrest of two individuals, 36-year-old Maggie Ventry and 43-year-old Nicholas Hamric, on charges related to the distribution and manufacturing of a controlled substance.
The initial police response was to a distress call made by Hamric, who reported assaulting a woman within the home. Upon arrival, officers found a woman with significant injuries, including a brain bleed that required medical attention and staples.
In the course of providing aid, officers stumbled upon the mushroom cultivation setup. A subsequent search warrant revealed a sophisticated operation, with 7.23 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms found across 14 gallon-sized buckets.
The search also yielded gardening supplies, $7,590 in cash, packaging materials, and three scales, indicating a well-organized distribution effort.