'The Devil's Breath': The Most Dangerous and Potent Drug on the Planet

DEA Official: "One of Our Agents Has Confirmed Everything You Said About This Drug"

In May, the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail  published a news story entitled The Most Dangerous Drug in the World: The Devil’s Breath. 

The story focused on a Colombia-based drug called scopolamine, a derivative of burundanga, which reportedly places users or victims in a “zombie-like state”-- for hours, days or weeks -- and completely erases their memory.

Scopolamine also has the potential to render users and victims to a child-like state and can cause death in a matter of minutes if a certain dosage is exceeded. 

Pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. use scopolamine for the production of certain medications, such as motion-sickness tablets, but not in its purest form and only in very small quantities.

In the documentary film “World's Scariest Drug”, Ryan Duffy interviews people that were beaten or robbed shortly after the drug was slipped into drinks or blown into their face by prostitutes in nightclubs or people passing them on the street.

Others were victimized after receiving something as simple as a finger swipe under the nose.

“It’s called the Devil’s Breath because it takes your soul,” said one of the victims showcased in the film.

“It literally robs you of your free will, and there is nothing you can do about it.”

The drug is produced from the Borrachero tree, one of the country’s most recognizable and feared trees because of its potency and hallucinogenic components.

According to another witness appearing in the documentary, the powdery drug, which bears a striking resemblance to cocaine, is so potent that “if placed on a simple piece of paper, and the paper is placed near the person’s face, the person will fall victim to it in a matter of seconds.”

   

In numerous instances, victims were captured on bank surveillance tapes willfully emptying their bank accounts while the assailants waited outside.

Other victims happily rummaged through their belongings and handed over checkbooks, credit cards, jewelry, car keys and other valuable possessions at the request of criminals.

In the most extreme cases, victims discovered kidneys and other organs had been removed after regaining consciousness.

Amazingly, the victims have no recollection of what happened or how it happened. As a result, hundreds of crimes go unreported and unsolved.

Snopes.com recently noted, “The U.S. State Department’s information about Colombia has for years cautioned travelers about such drugs. Its 21 June 2007 travel advisory about crime in that country said: The Embassy continues to receive reports of criminals using disabling drugs to temporarily incapacitate tourists and others. At bars, restaurants and other public areas, perpetrators may offer tainted drinks, cigarettes or gum. Typically, victims become disoriented or unconscious, and are thus vulnerable to robbery, sexual assault, and other crimes. Avoid leaving food or drinks unattended at a bar or restaurant, and be suspicious if a stranger offers you something to eat or drink.”   

In effort to verify much of what the Dail Mail story and film reported, From The G-Man contacted the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Washington, D.C. and spoke to Barbara Carreno, Public Affairs Officer, DEA HQ Public Affairs Section.

Carreno had no knowledge of the drug or its origin and went on to say that she would look into the matter.

Several days later, Carreno stated the following during a phone conversation:

“After conferring with one of the DEA agents here, who spent a number of years in Bogota, Colombia, the agent confirmed everything you stated regarding scopolamine and the crimes that are being committed. According to the agent, it has been a major problem for quite some.”

Carreno went on to note that she had concerns about this news story being published, citing it could provide information to people that might make them want to gain access to the drug for criminal purposes.

“I’m not telling you that you shouldn’t run the story. I just worry that criminals here in the U.S. who aren’t aware of the drug will read your story and say ‘Ah-ha!’ Personally, and I’m not speaking for the agency when I say this, I feel the less that people know about this drug, the better,” said Carreno.

From The G-Man asked Carreno if there was a possibility that scopolamine could one day infiltrate the U.S. -- and what measures, if any, are in place to prevent it from entering the country.  

“That’s a great question, but I would suggest you reach out to officials at U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) for an answer.”

Emails were sent and calls were placed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. and the New York division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

To date, representatives from the aforementioned agencies have not responded to our request for comments regarding this story.

From The G-Man will publish all comments from the agency officials if and when they choose to respond.