Two ISU students were arrested Wednesday after members from the Central Iowa Drug Task Force discovered seven storage bins containing growing mushrooms and more than 100 opium poppy pods in their apartment, said ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger.

Ryan Paul Peterson, senior in environmental science, and Nicholas Andrew Jones, senior in computer engineering, were each charged with manufacture of psilocybin mushrooms, possession of raw opium poppy with intent to deliver and two tax stamp violations for the opium and mushrooms.

Task force members received a tip from an individual who believed someone was manufacturing drugs at 1221 Frederiksen Court.

The task force is made up of officers from ISU Police, Ames Police, the Story County Sheriff’s Office and the Boone County Sheriff’s office, Deisinger said.

Officers from the task force were invited into Peterson and Jones’ residence, 1221 Frederiksen Court, Wednesday during a follow-up interview.

At that time, officers observed drugs in the apartment in plain view, Deisinger said.

One officer stayed behind in the apartment, while other officers went to a judge to obtain a search warrant, he said.

Following a search of the apartment, officers discovered Peterson and Jones were both growing mushrooms in their bedrooms and had several opium poppy pods, he said.

Police also seized several dozen quart jars they believe possibly contain mushroom spores.

Deisinger said the reason Peterson and Jones were charged with intent to deliver is most likely because of the large quantity of drugs found at the residence. He said there is no evidence at this time either were successful in delivering the drugs to others.

Deisinger said a drug bust this large is not common at Iowa State. He said an ISU Police officer arrested a Towers Residence Association resident for growing mushroom spores in a glass jar in December.

However, he said that particular incident was “not nearly the magnitude” of these recent drug related arrests.

Dean of Students Pete Englin could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Peterson and Jones were transported to the Story County Jail Wednesday where they are being held on $175,000 bond.

If convicted on all felony charges, each could face up to 30 years in jail and fines ranging from $3,500 to $34,010, according to the Iowa Code.