Shocking Drug Bust at California Bar: Bartender Caught Selling Magic Mushrooms to Undercover Agents!

NORTH SAN JUAN – What seemed like an ordinary Nevada County tavern became the focal point of a covert drug investigation after undercover agents discovered psilocybin mushrooms being sold behind the bar. The year-long sting operation has led to the arrest of Evan Richard Gibbins, a 39-year-old bartender at the Brass Rail Tavern in North San Juan, California.

Authorities say the arrest is part of a growing trend where bars and other hospitality venues are being used as hubs for illegal drug sales, raising alarms about how these businesses are monitored. In this case, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and the Nevada County Sheriff's Office worked together to investigate the activities at the local watering hole, resulting in a dramatic drug bust.

The investigation began in August 2023 when ABC agents were conducting a routine compliance check at the tavern. During the check, several violations were reportedly noticed, setting off red flags that warranted further attention. According to the sheriff's office, bar staff were questioned, and agents began monitoring the establishment closely.

What unfolded over the following months was a covert operation where undercover agents infiltrated the bar and allegedly purchased psilocybin mushrooms directly from Gibbins on at least three separate occasions. The case against Gibbins grew as the agents meticulously gathered evidence, ultimately leading to his arrest on September 5, 2024, when he arrived for his shift.

When Gibbins’ vehicle was searched, deputies discovered more psilocybin mushrooms. Further investigation revealed cannabis stashed in various locations throughout the bar, adding to the list of charges.

The Brass Rail Tavern has now become part of a larger conversation about the potential for bars to act as makeshift drug dispensaries, particularly in an era where some psychedelics like psilocybin are gaining legal traction in parts of the U.S. California has seen an uptick in interest around psychedelic decriminalization, but that doesn't mean the law is turning a blind eye to illicit sales, especially in venues licensed to sell alcohol.

ABC agents, typically tasked with regulating the sale of alcohol, are increasingly finding themselves involved in drug-related investigations as illegal substances become more prevalent in bar settings. Their role in ensuring compliance goes beyond just monitoring for over-serving or fake IDs; now, it’s about cracking down on venues that may be acting as fronts for drug operations.

Gibbins is currently being held on a $105,000 bond, and the discovery of both psilocybin mushrooms and cannabis at the tavern highlights the blurred line between legal substances and those that remain firmly illegal. While cannabis has been legalized for recreational use in California, psilocybin remains illegal at the state level, despite growing movements for its decriminalization.

As cases like Gibbins’ emerge, the question remains: Are bars the new front line for illegal psychedelic sales, or was this an isolated incident? For now, the focus remains on how law enforcement and regulatory bodies like ABC are adapting to the shifting landscape of drug culture in California’s nightlife.

Are Bars Becoming the New Drug Dispensaries? Should Law Enforcement Ramp Up Efforts to Monitor Hospitality Venues?