SCENE of drug bust (WPD).

The recreational use and commercial production of marijuana may be legal in California, but there’s still a lot of money to be made illicitly in the “weed” business.

In a recent major drug bust conducted by the Westminster Police Department and the California Department of Cannabis Control, over $8.4 million worth of illegal cannabis and mushrooms were found in Orange County and a man was arrested.

According to authorities, it started with an investigation into an unlicensed cannabis business. On May 2, Kung Chau, 49, of Westminster was arrested for possession for sale of a controlled substance (marijuana) and was booked into Orange County Jail.

In the process of their investigation, authorities found:
• over $8.4 million worth of illegal cannabis;
• 643 pounds of illicit psilocybin mushrooms worth $44,000;
• ,891 pounds of illegal vape cartridges;
• 1,505 pounds of illegal cannabis flower;
• 600 pounds of illegal cannabis edibles;
• 351 pounds of cannabis concentrate.

Westminster Police Chief Darin Lenyi said, “This sizable enforcement action underscores Westminster PD’s commitment to keeping the public safe, as it addresses the vital need to protect communities from unlicensed operators who may also be distributing unregulated and untested substances like hallucinogenic mushrooms.”