MOUNTAIN VIEW — Authorities this week seized nearly 4,000 pounds of opium poppy pods, one of the biggest such busts in California and the largest in the city’s history.

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Police said they were tipped off in October that Singh was processing and selling opium poppy pods out of his home on the 200 block of Monroe Avenue. The couple reportedly imported large quantities of the pods, which were stored in lockers before being ground into a powder.

The powder was sold so that it could be brewed into a highly potent tea, according to police.

“People can absolutely drink this tea to get high, as it initially causes a warming sensation of the skin and body,” said Katie Nelson, a spokeswoman for the Mountain View Police Department. “Then, your body will flush before you have an elevated mood swing.”

But the tea also has several adverse side effects, including vomiting and slowed breathing. In high doses, it can be lethal.

Following a months-long investigation, police on Tuesday served a search warrant at Singh’s home and found roughly 50 pounds of opium poppy pods, along with more than $30,000 in cash.

A search of the lockers turned up nearly 4,000 pounds of the pods, worth $400,000 on the street, according to police.

Singh and Santo were arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose on charges of possession of controlled substances for sale, a felony, and child endangerment because their kids were living with them. They are being held without bail.

“We’re all very proud of the outstanding detective work involved in putting together this long and complex investigation,” Mountain View police Capt. Chris Hsiung said in a statement. “We take great pride in proactively keeping our streets safe and preventing these drugs from reaching our community.”

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