image source, spanish national police
Screenshots of police raid footage show officers discovering what appears to be a baggie of white pills.
Spanish police have arrested 18 people on suspicion of involvement in a shamanic organization that sold hallucinogens to its members.
The suspects are accused of promoting organized rituals using prohibited psychoactive substances.
The substance is said to have contained ayahuasca and toad poison.
Mescaline, a well-known hallucinogen, and the toxic secretions of tree frogs were also said to have been used and sold by the organization.
The group was active in so-called “internal evolutionary epicenters” throughout Spain, but is also said to be active in 10 other countries in Europe and Latin America.
The group became known to law enforcement authorities after they discovered online advertisements promoting neo-shamanic rituals. Police said the ad promised “improvement of physical and mental health through the consumption of psychoactive substances”.
Investigators eventually discovered the group’s purported headquarters in the Colombian jungle, and “had the necessary means and raw materials” to prepare products such as “ayahuasca preparations.”
Fifteen of the arrests occurred in Madrid, where officers said they also seized more than 60kg of ayahuasca, a psychoactive drink made from the plant.
He said they also seized 24,000 euros ($26,000) in various currencies and 1 kilogram (35 ounces) of mescaline.
Video of the police raid showed officers searching the home and finding cash, as well as baggies of pills and a room filled with beds.
At one point, a police dog is seen sniffing a wallet containing a large sum of money.
The 18 people detained were charged with “developing a commercial ritual involving the use of prohibited psychotropic substances.”
Some have also been charged with human trafficking crimes, labor rights violations and smuggling, according to police reports.
Police allege that the intake of hallucinogens tended to be supervised by a doctor and his partner “posing as medical graduates”. Both have been arrested.
Meanwhile, the group’s leader, who authorities said was considered a spiritual figure by his followers, died during a joint investigation with Spain’s tax authorities.
He was posthumously charged with crimes of a sexual nature and promoting illegal immigration.
Countries where police have known the group to operate include Belgium, Ireland, Mexico, Colombia and Turkey.