Four people were arrested during an investigation into the sale of psychedelic psilocybin mushroom products at two East Village storefronts, authorities announced Thursday.
Customers would pass through the public section of Come Back Daily, an East 11th Street CBD store, and say a secret code to get access to a secret back room. Once there, they could allegedly purchase illegally controlled substances, such as psilocybin mushrooms, in various forms.
Steven Phan, the alleged owner of Come Back Daily, is charged with criminal possession of a fifth-degree controlled substance, according to the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. William Brako and Nina Fink were also charged with fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Mohamed Ahir, the alleged owner of City Clouds, was charged with fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance in a second complaint.
“The NYPD and Office of Special Narcotics responded to community complaints and concerns about illegal drug dealing in commercial establishments,” Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said in a statement. “I thank those who care enough about their neighborhoods and protecting public safety to alert us to the ongoing problem of distribution of illegal substances by purportedly legitimate businesses.”
