Scopolamine, the drug that erases the memory

Scopolamine, also known as burundanga, is a drug with an almost immediate ability to knock out a person for several hours, long enough to suffer any kind of aggression. So it's no wonder that criminals, particularly rapists and kidnappers used to lull the victims and take them at their mercy. Although its use is focused mainly in Latin America, there are fears that this drug is exported to Spain as were other criminal techniques such as kidnapping express.

Origins

Scopolamine is an alkaloid found in various plants such as henbane, mandrake or Brugmansia. In very small doses used for years by conventional medicine, this drug has been used to treat disorders of the central nervous system-related, because of its strong action sedante.Al be an alkaloid scopolamine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, the drug can be provided through all kinds of drinks and meals. It is also easily deliverable by the respiratory route, offering a cigarette contaminated criminal to his victim. Medical sources indicate that scopolamine overrides the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which causes amnesia.

Upon entering the victim's body, so it only takes a few minutes for the person becomes totally vulnerable and their will be canceled. Thus, who is under the effects of scopolamine be fully becomes a manipulable and submissive. It also has the advantage of the memory loss that occurs, which leaves the victim about blackouts that keep you from knowing what happened, much less, who was providing it.

Datura Arborea

Profile of the victim

The most frequent victims of poisoning with this drug is usually women, especially young people between 18 and 25. Violators may act in different ways. Bringing a handkerchief to the victim with the substance, offering a cigarette, handing him a paper impregnated with the substance or pulling her in a friendly manner and then offer a drink polluted. A few minutes later, the victim will void your will and respond to what prompted the offender. Even there have been cases in nightclubs, where a person can easily overlook his glass and suddenly turn into a rape victim.

Robberies and kidnappings for the modus operandi is similar, especially with foreign tourists. The criminal on a map asking for directions, the victim to open the map inhaled the substance. Once the victim is under the influence of narcotics, we subtracted their belongings, take the route through ATMs. This is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the importance of not trusting strangers who intend to request help or collaboration, as well as be alert to a person offering a cigarette or a drink or whatever it might even contain this substance.

In the case of robberies in homes, favorite victims are often children or domestic workers, whites much more accessible and unprepared.

Internet

Lately scopolamine has become one of the favorites of Internet pranksters. The hoaxers, as known to those who spread false news with the sole purpose of the network expands, little verifiable stories have spread in which a man down for help and deliver a paper to the victim impregnated with the substance, causing loss of consciousness with its touch-scopolamine alone is not effective dermal, unless it is in a very high dose. This practice helps generate only an urban legend that confuses the true danger of this alkaloid

By Carlos Cabezas López