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California man dosed sons daily with hallucinogens, ran psilocybin operation: prosecutors
By Josh DuBose at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· June 29, 2026
· 1 min read
A 43-year-old California man pleaded guilty last week to trafficking psilocybin mushrooms and using his two young sons in the operation after repeatedly dosing them with the hallucinogenic drug, federal prosecutors announced.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The case of a California man pleading guilty to trafficking psilocybin mushrooms and using his sons in the operation raises concerns about the potential presence of similar activities in the El Paso area. As a border city, El Paso has historically been vulnerable to drug trafficking, and the emergence of psilocybin operations is a new challenge for local law enforcement. The fact that the California man was able to use his children in the operation is particularly disturbing, and it highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the dangers of hallucinogenic drugs in El Paso's communities. Local authorities should be vigilant in monitoring for signs of similar operations and take proactive steps to prevent the exploitation of children in drug trafficking activities. El Paso's unique location and proximity to the border demand a proactive approach to addressing the threat of psilocybin and other hallucinogenic drugs.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A 43-year-old California man pleaded guilty last week to trafficking psilocybin mushrooms and using his two young sons in the operation after repeatedly dosing them with the hallucinogenic drug, federal prosecutors announced.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Josh DuBose at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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