A chemistry lecturer in Israel's north was reportedly arrested on Monday on suspicion of growing a large amount of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Police searched the house of the lecturer, a doctor in chemistry aged 41, after receiving a tip from one of the state security services, YNet.com reported. There, they found a laboratory complete with an irrigation system and electricity, flowerpots in which mushroom seeds had been planted and were growing, as well as dried, packed mushrooms.

According to police, the suspect admitted during his interrogation to growing what he called "magic mushrooms," saying he bought the spores in Canada, and that while he had used this drug in the past, he no longer does. In addition, the report said, he claimed never to have sold any of the mushrooms.

Police suspect the lecturer of cultivating an illegal drug and possession with intent to distribute, due to the large amount of mushrooms found, the report said. The police added that this was the first time they have encountered a large laboratory of this sort in Israel's north.

After his short interrogation at the Lev Hagalil police station, in Carmiel, the lecturer was taken to the Acre Magistrates Court, where his remand was extended until Thursday.