NORTH READING — On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, detectives from the North Reading Police Department in conjunction with the Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force, Woburn Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a search warrant at the home of 57-year-old Christopher Vlahakis following a “lengthy and pro-active” investigation into drug distribution.
According to a statement from North Reading’s Police Chief Mark Zimmerman, during their search of Vlahakis’ residence, police located a sophisticated psilocybin mushroom laboratory, complete with the equipment and materials needed to cultivate and produce the psychedelic drug.
“Also located were psilocybin mushroom spores at various stages of growth, and large amounts of suspected psilocybin mushrooms packaged for sale,” Chief Zimmerman said in the statement. “Vlahakis was taken into custody as the search was conducted.”
Christopher Vlahakis was charged with the following:
- Unlawful Manufacturing of a Class C Substance (Psilocybin)
- Possession of a Class C Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute (Psilocybin)
Vlahakis was arraigned in Woburn District Court on Thursday, where he was ordered held on $1,000 cash bail.
“I want to thank the Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force, the Woburn Police and our federal law enforcement partners for assisting us as we seek to keep our communities safe from those who would manufacture and distribute dangerous drugs,” Chief Zimmerman said. “The North Reading Police Department is committed to increasing its investigative capabilities through specialized training, information sharing, and joint investigations to better protect our community from the dangers of illicit drugs.”
