NEW HAMPTON --- The owners of a garden and greenhouse operation admitted Friday they were growing more than just lilies and poppies on their property near Ionia.

Steve Bertrand and his wife, Caroline, pleaded guilty to two felony counts each of manufacturing a controlled substance.

Authorities searched The Perennial Flower Farm, 3036 Gilmore Ave., in October 2003. They discovered "an extensive marijuana and psilocybin mushroom and peyote cactus growing operation," according to the Chickasaw County Sheriff's Department.

The set up was in the house, greenhouses and outbuildings. Other narcotics and paraphernalia also were seized.

Steve Bertrand pleaded guilty to manufacture of a controlled substance---marijuana, a Class D felony, and to manufacture of a controlled substance---psilocybin, a Class C felony. He was sentenced to 15 years, but the term was suspended. He will be on probation for five years.

Caroline Bertrand pleaded guilty to the same felony counts and was given a deferred judgment. She will be on probation for five years.

The Bertrands' flower farm had been featured in several newspapers, including the Courier.

In an interview in July 2002, Caroline Bertrand said the farm was open to visitors but remained "a well-kept secret."

"We like to have our customers see what we do and see where everything comes from," she said.

At that time, the Bertrands said they were raising a variety of plants with a focus on the rare and unusual.

"I have found seed sources around the world, and as long as they keep finding new seeds every year we can offer new species," Steve Bertrand said.

Whotv.com

Marion, Iowa.
October 11, 2004

Police uncover illegal mushroom operation

It happened last week at an apartment in Marion, near Cedar Rapids.

Police say they seized four portable greenhouses, each containing trays, spore samples, drying racks and other equipment. They estimate thousands of what they suspect are psilocybin mushrooms were growing.

Two people, Ivy Lightfoot and Nicholas Bryan, were arrested on charges unrelated to the mushrooms, which were sent to the state crime lab.

Police say no charges have been filed yet in the mushroom case, but the investigation continues.

Copyright 2004 Associated Press

Iowa shroom bust, 8-21-2007

Police find psilocybin, charge two men

August 21, 2007 - qconline.com

Two Springfield men remained in the Scott County Jail late Tuesday, both charged with possessing more than three-fourths of a pound of psychedelic mushrooms.

Aaron C. Potter, 24, and Joshua A. Marcure, 18, have been charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and violating Iowa's Drug Tax Stamp.

They were being held on $56,000 bond after making a first appearance on the charges Tuesday morning.

According to affidavits filed in court, the men were in co-possession of a 1994 Mazda 626 near Everett's Body Shop, 5675 State St., Bettendorf.

Inside the car, police found nine baggies containing containing multiple, individually packaged baggies of psilocybin mushrooms, weighing a total of 352.85 grams, the affidavits state.

Police also searched their room at the Super 8 Motel at 1552 Welcome Center Drive, LeClaire. There police found several rolls of money, totaling approximately $4,000, and 1.41 grams of marijuana.

No further information on the arrests was available Tuesday.

Attorneys are expected to make court appearances Wednesday morning.

Quad-cities online [qcoline.com]

http://qconline.com/subscribers/login.php?dest=http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=351110&gwa=