Scopolamine in Colombia: Why Devil's Breath Is Taking Lives

Devil’s Breath in Colombia

What happens when you combine:

• the loneliness many Westerners feel, especially men

• the allure of romance and intimacy they seek

• all set within a culture steeped in violence and financial desperation…

Enter Devil’s Breath, or Scopolamine. One whiff, sip, or bite, and you’re out cold for the next few days.

Here’s the twist: while under its influence, you can still function normally. You can make cash withdrawals or help someone get into your apartment.

The Standard Devil’s Breath Play (Getting “Scoped”)

You may have seen this VICE documentary about it (“World’s Scariest Drug”). Well, my friends, it is in Colombia, along with many other countries, and it’s everywhere you turn in the street.

Here’s how the play goes:

• Man matches with attractive woman on a dating app

• the two go on a date, all goes well

• the two head back to the man’s apartment (whether via his invitation or her suggestion)

• the woman slips the ‘scope’ into the man’s drink or sprays a spiked perfume near his face…

He wakes up three days later, thinking only a night had passed, with a cleared-out apartment.

Here’s an actual livestream of this going down.

The Tasty Devils Breath Drink is Only On The Rise

This is the standard protocol. However, miscalculated doses can be fatal. The people mixing this shit up aren’t exactly trained chemists.

This scenario also plays out in bars. Two attractive women approaching a man twice their age who is alone? Right…

And guess what? The numbers are skyrocketing.

In 2023 alone, Medellín saw a 200% increase in robberies involving tourists. Many of these involved druggings.

In late 2023, eight U.S. tourists in Medellín died in incidents linked to scopolamine. Plenty of ransoms, physical assaults, and even fatal overdoses.

One high-profile case involved an American man who was stabbed, beaten, and thrown from a cliff. He’d been drugged during a date arranged through a dating app.

It’s graphic, but I paint this picture to inform you that, well, shit is real out here.

Most commentary on the issue says “Wealthy foreigners draw attention from desperate criminals.” While true, it’s a bit shallow.

There are deeper cultural factors at play.

A Cultural Intersection

Scopolamine in Colombia stems from a perfect storm:

• a loneliness epidemic in the West

• intensified by social media’s seductive portrayal of Colombia

• Combine this with Colombia’s deeply embedded culture of violence.

In affluent countries, loneliness—especially among young men—has surged.

This is by no means a coincidence. In general, as financial security rises, loneliness does too.

Young, lonely men, then look to satiate their cravings for:

• connection

• adventure

• and sex

And, as seen on social media, they discover a land full of these things that promises to deliver.

This could take shape in an attempt to find wifey (passport bros), but could also veer into sexual tourism.

On the flip side, poverty rates in Colombia are high, despite having dropped off over the long term.

Desperation leads people to take risks. In a place where violence is a survival tool, crime becomes a viable path to financial security.

Westerners are easy to spot—with their iPhones, watches, and different clothes.

It’s not surprising then, that someone struggling to survive might see your possessions as a month’s rent. Your iPhone 14 is dated (aint even the 16) to you—not to them.

Hence, the infamous but common drive-by phone snatches.

A Note on Colombian Violence

As pointed out by a reader, I seem to be casting Colombia in a negative light.

Between pop culture, the war on drugs, and Narcos Netflix, most people already have a negative view of the country. They think it’s only cocaine, hookers, and murder.

That’s simply not true. Living here has shown me that the people are incredibly warm, welcoming, and peaceful.

There is a lot of stigmatization of Colombia. Western influence has also helped to destabilize the country. It has amplified poverty and violence.

Bottom line: I love Colombia. I seek to observe and report the objective realities of today. However, we all have biases, whether we’re aware of them or not.

Returning to Devil’s Breath

Imagine getting into this “wealthy” Westerner’s Airbnb with minimal effort. Their phone, cash, laptop, and passport are yours.

A spray to the face or a drop in the drink, and the person is yours to lead.

Crime is very organized in Medellín, and this form of robbery is sadly routine.

Throw some zebras into a river of alligators and some will make it out alive, exhilarated. But, there will always be some that get pulled under.

It is this clash of cultural desires that creates the perfect storm for devil’s breath.

Staying Safe in Latin America

That could be the end of the article. But, some of you may be closing your browser thinking “holy shit, I am never going to Colombia”. That is not my intent.

Colombia and Latin America are beautiful, filled with incredible people, and worth experiencing.

Most of the time, you’ll feel safe and welcome.

Don't let fear keep you from exploring, but be wise and travel smart.

Allow me to leave you with a simple set of rules based on many months of living in South America.

These rules will keep you safe. If you follow them, you’ll avoid 99% of bad situations.

The remaining 1% is pure chance just like in NYC, Tokyo, or anywhere.

Rules to Stay Safe In LatAm

They’re simple:

• Don’t walk alone at night (like me)

• Don’t show any signs of wealth in public

• Don’t go on a date with a strange woman from the internet (you MUST delete Tinder while in Medellín)

• If you must go on a date with a strange woman from the internet:

  • Properly vet her via social media before

  • Stay aware of your drink, food, how you feel, sketchy body language from her, her being pushy, her inviting a friend to join, or anything too good to be true

Stay safe, my friends.

To your growth and travels,

Bogotá, D.C., Colombia | October 2024