‘Neochamanic’ sect promising physical and emotional improvements through ayahuasca eliminated

Within the scope of joint work with the Tax Office, Agents arrested 18 people and seized 60 kilos of ayahuasca in different parts of Spain and a kilo of mescaline, which they tried to promote through Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport.

In the statement made by both organizations, it was stated that most of the arrests took place in Madrid (10) and the cities of Fuente el Saz del Jarapa (4) and Valdetorres del Jarama (1).

A member of the gang was also arrested in Ibiza, Malaga and Lloret de Mar (Girona), respectively. They are all accused of being members of a criminal organization and committing crimes against public health.

Some are also accused human trafficking crimes, occupational assaultAgainst workers’ rights, smuggling and violations of immigration law.

Crimes against sexual freedom and compensation and crimes of supporting clandestine migration were added to the leader of the organization, who died during the investigation of the case and whom they considered a spiritual teacher or guru.

In the investigation carried out by the General Information Commissariat of Police and the Madrid Regional Operations Unit of the General Directorate of Customs Surveillance, It all started when he was spotted in Spain through social networks and websites promoting the celebration of “neochamanic” rituals..

In these ads, cult members promised followers improvements in their physical and emotional health through the consumption of forbidden and dangerous psychoactive substances such as ayahuasca, bufo frog, kambó frog, or peyote.

Headquarters in the Colombian jungle

Agents confirmed that the organization’s headquarters are located in the Colombian jungle. They had the tools and raw materials to produce the items. These were later introduced through Madrid airport using “mules” or simulating the import of other products.

Group members acquired numerous packages of mescaline and ayahuasca and used these substances in ritual celebrations as well as selling them online.

In Spain the so-called “epicenters of internal evolution“, distributed by Madrid, Barcelona, ​​​​Málaga, Granada and Ibiza.

They also had a presence in other countries such as France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Finland, Romania, Malta, Mexico, Colombia and Turkey.

Some members of the sect resided in the organization’s aforementioned headquarters, were forced to work long hours in irregular conditions, and held “inner evolution” retreats where followers were supplied with psychoactive substances.

For this they have supervision of a registered physician and his/her spousePosing as a medical graduate to support suitability of practice.

Substitution therapy for conventional medicine

This type of cult sometimes uses these substances as substitute treatments for conventional medicine.

According to researchers, these psychoactive substances are widelynew age sects”, especially in “neochamanic” rituals whose consumption is accompanied by stimuli such as environmental paraphernalia, songs, lights, or incense, making it easier to encourage followers and facilitate the “shaman’s” coercive control over the group.

The case was carried out by the Madrid Instruction Court No. 43 and the Drug Enforcement Section of the Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, which remained confidential until last month. conducted eight house searchesSeveral of those investigated were surprised as they began one of their rituals.

During the searches and postal interventions carried out by Customs Surveillance officers, 24 thousand euros, foreign currency, high-end vehicles, 2 unmanned aerial vehicles, 1 dataphone, computers, audio-visual materials and many mobile phones were seized.