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Alleged drug-growing operation found at CMC

Gary E. Salazar

— Three Colorado Mountain College students face felony drug charges for an incident that was reported early Sunday morning.

William Morris Spears and Casey Ryan McGill, who are both 19, each face a felony drug charge for allegedly manufacturing psylocybin mushrooms in their residence hall, said Assistant Police Chief Art Fiebing.

An alleged grow operation was found by authorities under a bathroom sink, Fiebing said.



Authorities also allegedly found in the room the two men share a manual on how to manufacture “magic mushrooms,” Fiebing said.

“Because a grow operation can involve dangerous chemicals, the fire department was called to ventilate the room,” Fiebing said.



The two men also face misdemeanor charges because officers allegedly found marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the room, Fiebing said.

The two men were arrested after Steamboat Springs police officers were called to the college campus at about 11 p.m. Saturday night for an intoxicated student.

Once officers arrived at the scene, a residence hall employee told officers drugs and paraphernalia had been found in a room.

Because of an investigation, officers arrested Spears at about 3 a.m. Sunday. At the time, Spears was allegedly intoxicated and faces a charge for underage drinking.

A short time later, authorities arrested a second student, Ryan Patrick Eames. The 20-year-old man was arrested on charges of possession of psylocybin mushrooms, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Because police found the alleged grow operation, agents from the Grand, Routt and Moffat Narcotics Enforcement Team were called to assist in the investigation.

Police arrested McGill Sunday evening. The three men were each booked into the Routt County Jail.


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