Press Release

ELKHART — On Dec. 13, 2023, the multi-agency Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement Unit conducted a search warrant on a residence on CR 117 in Elkhart County after working in collaboration with the Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team from Kent County, Michigan.

KANET officials were conducting a separate investigation into a person who was illegally dealing psilocybin mushrooms in Grand Rapids, Mich., but their evidence also pointed to Mason Bails, Goshen. The evidence suggested Bails had a large-scale suspected psilocybin mushroom grow operation in his Elkhart County residence.

During the search warrant’s execution, ICE Unit officers found over 35 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms that had already been harvested. Forty-two additional plastic tubs of suspected psilocybin mushrooms were located in various stages of growth. Officers also found 50 individual packages of edible THC candies, over 4,700 grams of edible candy bars labeled to contain 3.5 grams of psilocybin, a large amount of United States currency, and additional equipment consistent with items to support a large-scale mushroom grow operation.

There were several merchandising items advertising the sale of psilocybin mushrooms and other edibles for sale with prices ranging from $20 to $400. A reasonable street value of the psilocybin drugs is about $56,000.

This is the second large-scale suspected psilocybin mushroom grow operation the ICE Unit has dismantled in Elkhart County in 2023. In addition to this investigation, the multi-agency ICE Unit has seized over 19 kilos of methamphetamine, over 28 kilos of cocaine, over 500 grams of fentanyl powder, more than 1,750 grams of fraudulent pills laced with fentanyl, 104 pounds of marijuana, and 85 illegal firearms from other criminal offenders in Elkhart County in 2023. The approximate street value of these drugs exceeds $1 million. Twenty-two different offenders were charged with various offenses as a result of ICE investigations in 2023.

Drug-involved offenders continue to be responsible for a significant majority of violent crimes in Elkhart County, and almost all juveniles prosecuted and sentenced in adult court for serious crimes in 2023 have admitted use of marijuana as a factor in their lives.

The abuse of drugs can profoundly affect rational decision-making, the results of which are seen in the criminal justice system every day. Until offenders recognize the use of drugs exacerbates any anti-social attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors they may already be battling, and accept the consequences are not worth the risk, there will continue to be negative outcomes. The number of neglected children and family responsibilities continues to grow in the community as more people buy into the mainstream messaging that drug crimes are victimless crimes.

The Elkhart County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney will continue to stand firm in seeking accountability from these offenders and forcing therapeutic interventions, and removal when necessary, to protect the community.