A man has been arrested following the discovery of a massive stash of illegal drugs in Orange County, California. Authorities say the bust uncovered over $8.4 million worth of illicit cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms, making it one of the largest drug seizures in the area in recent years.
The operation was carried out through a joint effort between the Westminster Police Department and the California Department of Cannabis Control. The investigation began when authorities received information about an unlicensed cannabis delivery service operating in the area. Acting on that tip, officials began surveillance and gathered enough evidence to execute a search warrant at an undisclosed location in Westminster.
What they found was staggering.
Among the seized items were:
Illegal cannabis products valued at over $8.4 million
643 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, estimated to be worth $44,000
3,891 pounds of unlicensed cannabis vape cartridges
1,505 pounds of illegal cannabis flower
600 pounds of cannabis edibles
351 pounds of cannabis concentrate
On May 2, 49-year-old Kung Chau of Westminster was arrested in connection with the operation. He faces charges of possession for sale of a controlled substance and possession for sale of marijuana. Chau was booked into Orange County Jail, and his case is currently under further investigation.
Authorities emphasized that the presence of such a large quantity of unregulated and untested substances posed a significant public health risk. In particular, psilocybin mushrooms—commonly known as “magic mushrooms”—remain illegal under federal and California state law, although there has been growing advocacy for their therapeutic use.
“This sizeable enforcement action underscores Westminster PD’s commitment to keeping the public safe, as it addresses the vital need to protect communities from unlicensed cannabis operators who may also be distributing unregulated and untested substances like hallucinogenic mushrooms,” said Chief Darin Lenyi of the Westminster Police Department in a statement.
Officials added that illegal cannabis operations not only bypass strict state regulations meant to ensure product safety, but they also avoid paying taxes that fund public services. This creates an unfair playing field for licensed operators and undermines the state’s legal cannabis industry.
The case remains under active investigation, and authorities have not disclosed whether additional arrests or charges are expected.
As legal cannabis becomes more accessible across California, law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on illicit operators who threaten both consumer safety and the integrity of the legal market.