RCMP officers found drugs, cash and a set of brass knuckles while executing a search warrant last week.
Officers executed the warrant at #164, 70 Woodlands Road on June 16 around 7:30 p.m. and found 330 grams of marijuana, 37 grams of psilocybin, commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, as well as a small amount of cannabis resin and cash.
The occupant of the home was not there when police raided the apartment, but turned himself in to officers a short time later.
Nicolas Mathew Degenhardt has been charged with two counts of possession for the purposes of trafficking, one count of simple possession, possession of the proceeds of crime and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Degenhardt made his first court appearance Monday and through legal counsel asked to postpone entering a plea until they have reviewed the Crown's case.
He will make his next court appearance on July 20.
The RCMP's drug unit has had a busy year so far, laying several trafficking charges as well as raiding several alleged grow-ops.
Const. Janice Schoepp with the St. Albert RCMP said the detachment is stepping up its enforcement efforts on drug crime this year.
She said this residence had been on their radar for a while.
"This is a place they have been investigating for some time. They have been watching it."
Mushrooms
Schoepp said officers don't tend to see a lot of psilocybin in the community.
According to the former Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, the naturally growing mushrooms can be eaten or crushed into a powder form that is placed in teas or juices. They can induce hallucinations in users.
In the short-term, physical effects can include higher blood pressure, dizziness, numbness of the tongue and mouth, nausea and anxiety.
