Failure to Pay Ticket Yields Stamford Mushroom Grow Discovery

Stamford police say a 42-year-old city man's failure to pay a ticket led to the discovery of a hallucinogenic mushroom grow in his home near Fairfield Memorial Park.

Dmitri L. Taranov, of 15 Stanwick Road, was arrested at 9:47 p.m. Thursday and charged with possession of a controlled substance and sale of a controlled substance.

According to Sgt. Robert Shawinsky, officers with department's Neighborhood Impact Unit went to Taranov's house to follow up on the unpaid ticket.

"The officers went to his house to pick him up on a warrant on failure to respond to an infraction," Shawinksy said.

It isn't clear what the infraction offense involved.

"One thing led to another," Shawinsky continued. "Things began to unravel into a more serious nature. That's when the Narcotics Division came in and narcotics took over from there."

Police obtained a warrant and discovered the mushroom grow, according to Assistant Chief Jonathan Fontneau.

Officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration, state chemist and hazardous materials experts in the Stamford Fire Department are collaborating on the investigation, Fontneau said.

Stamford Patch will have more information as it becomes available.