Medellín Crackdown Targets 'Burundangeras' Using Scopolamine to Rob Tourists
In Medellín, Colombia, authorities are intensifying efforts to combat 'burundangeras,' criminal groups of women who use sedatives like scopolamine and benzodiazepines to incapacitate foreign tourists, rob them, and sometimes kill them. While scopolamine, extracted from brugmansia flowers, is difficult to detect and can cause fatal organ failure, many recent cases involve other drugs. Rising tourism has led to a surge in reported incidents, with 304 cases in the first five months of 2026 alone, prompting police to arrest groups like 'Las Barbies' and 'Las Mamacitas.'
Key points
- Medellín authorities are targeting 'burundangeras,' women who seduce tourists before drugging and robbing them, often in areas like Lleras Park.
- Scopolamine, known as 'Devil's Breath,' is tasteless and odorless; doses as small as 10 milligrams can induce a zombie-like state, but it is rapidly metabolized and hard to detect.
- Many victims report losing all memory of the event, along with cash, crypto, and personal items, with some suffering permanent physical or cognitive damage.
- Police data shows 443 reported cases in 2025 and 304 in the first five months of 2026, driven by increased tourism and sex tourism.
- Recent arrests include groups named 'Las Barbies' and 'Las Mamacitas,' though some cases involved benzodiazepines like Clonazepam rather than scopolamine.
Background
This issue has been ongoing for decades, with scopolamine first used by criminals in Colombia in the 1970s. Medellín has become a major tourist destination since the pandemic, with over 1.2 million visitors last year, but also a hub for sex tourism, which has complicated the narrative around these crimes. Local officials have faced criticism for blaming tourists, but they emphasize the need to combat criminal networks that exploit vulnerable visitors.
Why it matters
The rise in drugging incidents poses a significant safety risk for tourists and highlights the challenges of regulating sex work and combating organized crime in popular travel destinations. It also underscores the need for better detection methods and victim support, as many cases go unreported or are dismissed by authorities.
What to watch
Authorities are expected to continue targeted operations against criminal gangs and may implement stricter entry restrictions for tourists suspected of engaging in sex tourism. Victims are encouraged to report incidents, though many remain hesitant due to stigma or fear of professional repercussions.
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