Scopolamine or burundanga is a potent substance often associated with crime and crimes of theft, kidnapping and rape. Unlike other similar substances, there is no reference to drug addicts and only a limited number of people around the world use them recreationally. In this case, it is a dangerous substance that is mainly used to harm others.
It is also true that it has medical applications, clinically used to treat kinetic disease, an uncontrollable tremor derived from multiple sclerosis, plus it can be used as an antispasmodic, against Parkinson’s disease and as a local analgesic.
“Drugs are the enemies of the future and hope, and when we fight them, we fight for the future. “Bob Riley.
The term burundanga is native to the Caribbean and Colombia, currently refers to a potion used for criminal purposes, however, we know that this word is a derivative of the word ‘morondanga’, which in turn derives from ‘morondo’, a word meaning ‘bald or hairless’. This word comes from the Latin root ‘Mundus’, which means ‘clean’. and the suffix “anga”, which is pejorative. Thus, etymologically, burundanga translates as “leaving the mind clean or empty”.
Scopolamine is extracted from several plants, almost all of the solanaceae family. There are references to the use of this psychoactive, even since the Middle Ages. It is known to have been used as a love filter or in interrogations. It was associated with “arabica”, a plant common in warlocks.
There are also references that, in America, it was used in the period before the arrival of the conquerors, both in ceremonies and in healing rituals. There are indications that the burundanga is often used in voodoo ceremonies and potions.
The use of this drug has remained marginal for a long time, however, in Colombia more and more criminal cases began to appear in those who had used burundanga to commit something illegal, this began to happen in the 70s of the twentieth century, unfortunately. , this practice has also been extended to other countries.
In addition to being known as burundanga, scopolamine is also called by other names, in some places it is called ‘devil’s drug’, ‘robot drug’, ‘zombie drug’ or ‘Colombian devil’s breath’. These negative connotations stem from the terrible uses of this substance, as well as its horrific and harmful aftermath.
Burundanga is a tropical alkaloid, a substance that acts as a central nervous system depressant. In America, the so-called cocoa from the savannah? And each of them contains about 30 seeds.
Each of these seeds is enough to poison an adult
Currently, it is rare for burundanga to be extracted from the plant, it is now possible to synthesize the substance in the laboratory, meaning that chemically manufactured molecules have the same effect as those of natural origin, so it is common to be associated with any other type of substance indiscriminately on the black market, even sometimes adding benzodiazepines to these drugs to increase their effect.
The main characteristic of scopolamine is that it inhibits the will of the individual, affecting memory function and behavior, that is, it blocks certain neurotransmitters and causes the affected person to mechanically follow the orders given to him, so it ends. being used to facilitate theft, kidnapping and rape.
Scopolamine causes many reactions in the body. People who take this medicine are confused and drowsy. Other possible effects include dry mouth, pupil dilation, high blood pressure, tachycardia, blurred vision, photophobia, urinary retention, etc.
The effects and consequences of ingesting this substance depend on the amount of scopolamine absorbed and the health of the person; it also influences whether it is consumed purely or in combination with other medicines. In general, there is an estimate of overdose when ingesting more than 10 milligrams in children and 100 milligrams in adults.
An overdose of scopolamine can lead to seizures, coma and even death; in any case, the victim of this terrible drug becomes a very influential person, and may also suffer amnesia. They are not able to remember what happened under the effects of this substance, so it is a perfect drug for crime, the victim will never be able to give details of what happened to help catch the culprits.
A very worrying aspect is that scopolamine has different effects, even after poisoning, the main sequelae are: substance dementia syndrome, psychosis, cognitive and memory disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. The boundary between a dose of a burundanga overdose is very small When crossing this line, it is easy to cause a coma or the death of the victim.
Scopolamine is administered and absorbed by the body in different ways, one of the most common forms is the oral route, in its most common presentation, burundanga is a fine white crystalline powder, has no smell and has a bitter taste. this powder dissolves in a drink offered to the victim.
In Colombia, the most common cases are young women who engage in conversation with men in stylish bars, offer to pay the victim for a drink and mistakenly put the drug powder in the glass, hand them bank cards, usernames and passwords. to steal their accounts.
There are also cases where the substance is injected, in liquid form, into soft drinks or commercial drinks, the mechanism is the same: the offender gains the victim’s trust and invites her to consume the drink.
Currently, the number of cases increases by inhalation of the drug, on these occasions the aggressor forces the victim to suck an element containing scopolamine, so the effect of the substance is faster, but more dangerous.
Another method used is to insert a dose of scopolamine into a cigarette and make the victim smoke, when inhaling the smoke begin to notice all the effects of the drug, we also know several cases in which a person simply approaches with a paper and blows the drug dust into the victim’s nostrils. This is enough for it to absorb the substance and become intoxical.
Scopolamine can also be administered through the skin, in this modality criminals look for excuses and tricks to apply the substance to the skin in the form of a cream, there have been cases in which bandits have managed to administer the drug through false promotions cosmetics in mobile stores This form of administration does not have an immediate effect, but it is just as powerful when the victim absorbs the substance.
Authorities and physicians recommend taking the necessary precautionary measures to avoid being the victim of such poisonings.
Everything suggests that scopolamine-related crimes are on the rise, we know that unofficial data are very high, as many victims do not report it out of shame that they have been deceived, sometimes in a very childish way. with this substance are common.
The most worrying thing is that there are more and more sexual crimes related to the administration of scopolamine, and even more serious is that the number of victims among minors is increasing.
Criminals use the substance to induce children to let them have sex, but also to record pornographic videos or take pictures of them without clothes. There are also reports of prostitutes using scopolamine to rob their clients.
Such crimes have a great impact on urban security, when strangers cannot be trusted, society begins to deteriorate, crimes of this kind are an invitation to reflect on the serious crisis of values that our culture is going through and that will eventually lead us to decline. In addition to legal and urban security measures, it is necessary to promote deep reflection that will lead us to the solution of this serious problem.