Crime & Safety
Florida Facebook Marketplace Bust: 131 Peyote Cacti, Mushrooms Seized
Riverview, FL – A Hillsborough County investigation into an alleged Facebook Marketplace drug operation led to the seizure of 131 live plants and dozens of pounds of mescaline containing cacti Thursda
By Miles Carter · 2026-10-02T18:13:49.506Z
Riverview, FL – A Hillsborough County investigation into an alleged Facebook Marketplace drug operation led to the seizure of 131 live plants and dozens of pounds of mescaline containing cacti Thursday, authorities announced.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office, its Opioid Overdose Investigation Section served a search warrant Oct. 1 in the 5500 block of Coolidge Street in Riverview.
Detectives allege Zachary Diaz, 32, operated a business selling mescaline containing cacti, commonly referred to as peyote, and psilocybin mushrooms advertised through Facebook Marketplace.
During the search, investigators reported finding 131 live plants along with cultivation and manufacturing supplies. Deputies said they recovered approximately 50 pounds of mescaline containing cacti and 1.5 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms.
Authorities said Diaz already had outstanding warrants stemming from the ongoing investigation when he was arrested.
Diaz faces three counts involving possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver within 1,000 feet of a church and three counts of delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church, according to the sheriff’s office.
He also faces two additional counts of manufacture of a controlled substance.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains ongoing.
The charges against Diaz are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.