October 1, 2008: On September 30, 2008 at approximately 9:30 p.m., members of the Morris Township Police Department Special Operations Unit and Detective Bureau executed a search warrant at 23 Delmar Avenue in Morris Township. The search warrant execution was the result of a short term undercover operation which was jointly conducted by the Morris Township Police Department in partnership with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit. The joint operation targeted the Delmar avenue residence which was being rented and occupied by three individuals. The residents were in the developmental stages of setting up a manufacturing facility for the cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms. The property owners were not aware or involved in the alleged activity.

The production facility included a specialty room which was secured in the basement. This room had been modified to accommodate the elaborate grow operation. The investigation revealed that once the illegal mushrooms were cultivated they were going to be transported to areas including Pennsylvania for ultimate distribution. Seized from within the residence were all of the necessary items to carry out the cultivation scheme. In addition to the items related to the production facility, marijuana and related paraphernalia along with approximately $900 in U.S. currency was seized.

The Morris County Sheriff's Office K9 and Criminal Investigations Section assisted the Morris Township Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at the scene.

Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. stated:

"I applaud the efforts of Chief Timothy Quinn and members of the Morris Township Police Department who worked in cooperation and partnership with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit. We moved on this operation quickly before the manufacturing process became completely operational. I am extremely proud that the operation was infiltrated and neutralized before any drugs were able to be produced and distributed.

This case underscores the vulnerability we face as drug distributors move into our suburban neighborhoods with the purpose of setting up shop where our children play. This case was the result of increased vigilance of ordinary citizens who saw something out of the ordinary.

I commend both the community involvement and the partnership with law enforcement. It is the team approach by both private citizens and law enforcement that ultimately makes a difference and allows us to maintain the quality of life that we all so rightly deserve."

Chief Timothy Quinn stated:

"This is a text book example of how the joint cooperation of law enforcement agencies can react quickly to dismantle, and prevent, what was going to be a major distribution of narcotics. All the officers involved in the investigation are commended for their teamwork in successfully protecting our community from drug distributors and manufacturers who prey on our teenagers and young adults."

Suspects/Defendants:

Name: Christopher Donahue
Age: 24
Town: Morris Township
Race/Sex: White Male
Charges: (1) criminal attempt to operate a controlled dangerous substance production facility;(2) conspiracy to operate a controlled dangerous substance production facility; (3)poss. of < 50 grams of marijuana; (4)poss. of drug paraphernalia
Bond: $100,000

Name: Phillip Polynone
Age: 23
Town: Morris Township
Race/Sex: White Male
Charges: (1)criminal attempt to operate a controlled dangerous substance production facility; (2)conspiracy to operate a controlled dangerous substance production facility; (3)poss. of < 50 grams of marijuana; (4)poss. of drug paraphernalia
Bond: $75,000

Name: Stephanie Avitable
Age: 23
Town: Morris Township
Race/Sex: White Female
Charges: (1) criminal attempt to operate a controlled dangerous substance production facility;(2) conspiracy to operate a controlled dangerous substance production facility; (3)poss. of < 50 grams of marijuana; (4) poss. of drug paraphernalia
Bond: $75,000

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.