Operator of Winnipeg magic mushroom shop given house arrest sentence
One of the operators of an illegal magic mushroom shop that popped up in Osborne Village last year will serve nine months of house arrest for her role in the operation.
Hosnia Qazi, a real estate agent from Ottawa, was in court Wednesday for sentencing after she was arrested and charged in May 2023 for possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
The court heard the Winnipeg Police Service started investigating the shop, Magic Mush, on May 18, 2023, and on two separate occasions, undercover officers went to the store to buy products.
"In each occurrence, the staff did not request any identification or offer any advice or explanation related to the product they were selling," said Crown attorney Dan Manning while reading a statement of the facts.
Manning also told the court that during the second undercover interaction, one officer asked Qazi, who was working behind the counter, if his girlfriend with anxiety should get the mushrooms and if a prescription was needed.
"We don't take any prescriptions as we've just opened up, and we're trying to gauge the temperature of police right now," Manning said the officer was told at the time.
Manning noted the business was entirely for-profit, and even though it claimed to offer different strains, it was actually all the same.
On May 19, police executed a search warrant at the business and also at Qazi's home. Officers found 39 13-gram mushroom baggies at the store, along with other loose mushroom products, and more than $3,000 in cash.
At Qazi's home, officers found more mushroom products and more than $12,000 in cash.
Qazi was operating the business with her then-boyfriend Damien Hiebert. Her lawyer, Jack Lloyd, told court her relationship with Hiebert was abusive and that she was being dragged along by a "bad boyfriend."
Hiebert died shortly after being arrested from a fentanyl overdose, the court heard.
Lloyd also told the court police were willing to give Qazi and Hiebert a warning to shut down the store. However, after their previous lawyer Jamie Kagan told media that they would reopen if police raided, the police's hands were tied.
In a previous interview with CTV News Winnipeg, Kagan said the store was there so people had an "opportunity to make an informed decision," and wanted the police to, "get behind us and realize how good of an impact we're making on the community. We're on the same team."
Lloyd told the court that Kagan's continued comments to the media were "bizarre."
Before handing down his sentencing, Judge Sam Raposo heard from Lloyd that Qazi had no interest in continuing "any further dalliance," and that she was extremely sorry for her role.
Raposo said it was a brazen flouting of the law, and "the drug had no safeguards."
"Your actions, that included selling this illegal drug, contributed to preying on persons who are dependent on drugs," Raposo said.
He also noted Qazi received "horrible advice" from Kagan on operating the business.
Qazi was given a nine-month conditional sentence, and it will be served under house arrest.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.