Devil’s Breath in Medellín: The Mind-Altering Drug Behind Tourist Robberies

An in-depth look at how scopolamine (Devil’s Breath) is used by criminals in Medellín to drug foreign tourists, leaving victims incoherent, money and valuables stolen, and in some cases causing severe harm or death. The drug is tasteless, has a short detection window, and is sometimes paired with benzodiazepines, with attacks often linked to the Lleras Park nightlife and the city’s sex-tourism scene. Police have begun targeted crackdowns on gangs involved in drugging and robbing visitors, while officials warn that the phenomenon is real and rising with tourism—even as some accounts border on urban legend. Victims recount memory loss, long recoveries, and the ongoing challenge of reporting crimes undertaken under the drug’s influence.