A magic mushroom store in this strip on The Queensway and Islington Ave. was shot up by a rival gang in mushroom feud. Staff photo.
Two South Etobicoke magic mushroom shops are among about a dozen dispensaries targeted by gunmen in an ongoing feud by rival gangs.
Toronto Police are probing a slew of shootings targeting magic mushroom shops in addition to an ongoing rash of tow truck shootings, beatings and arsons.
Police said there have been more than eight cases in which gunfire were fired at magic mushroom dispensaries across the City. The eight shootings took place over three nights.
One store at The Queensway and Islington Avenue area was hit by bullets around 10:45 p.m. on May 15, according to police. Multiple bullets were found outside he shop.
Another downtown area mushroom selling store was subject to gunfire in eight incidents in three days. Photo: The Toronto Star.
And just blocks away another mushroom selling store had a vehicle driven through a front window. No one was in the car at the time.
The incidents have left area businesses and employees fearing the worst.
The most recent shooting occurred in Little Italy area on May 16.
Numerous bullets were found outside a dispensary at College Street and Dovercourt Road around 4:30 a.m. after the shots awoke residents and police called.
Inspector Jeff Bangild, of 22 Division, said there has been no injuries and the investigation is a high priority for police.
Police investigate after bullets were fired at another magic mushroom store operating openly.
“We have a number officers working on that case,” he said. “It is very concerning.”
Police said their Centralized Shooting Response Teams from the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force are investigating the incidents.
Magic mushrooms remain illegal in Ontario and across Canada. Despite the prohibition, unlicensed dispensaries have surfaced in Toronto and other areas that are openly selling psilocybin products without federal authorization.
York Regional Police officers last month cracked down on the illegal sale of magic mushroom products, seizing more than $3.5 million worth of illicit substances, including the psychedelic drug DMT, and charging 15 people.
People in the mushroom selling trade said one group is undercutting another for sales and an underground campaign is underway to scare customers away from certain stores that are selling illegal mushrooms at lower prices.