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Metro
5 days ago
- Health
- Metro
Hazardous chemicals including acid and 'ice melt' found on Tube network
Hazardous chemicals flagged on the Tube network include asbestos, 'ice melt' and a release of acid, newly released information shows. A dozen cases concerning potentially dangerous substances took place in or near the London Underground between last July and May. In one of the cases, acid was released in an incident logged as 'assault – physical' in the Transport for London (TfL) document. The list was revealed after the Metro asked for the information in light of a reported release of the 'devil's breath' drug on the Tube. In June, Deborah Oscar described how she felt 'high' and 'sleepy' within moments of a woman sitting beside her slowly waving a newspaper in an empty carriage on the Elizabeth Line. The content creator feared she was being targeted for robbery after running into two suspicious men in another carriage as she fled. There is no record of any such substance having been released in the spreadsheet provided by TfL under the Freedom of Information Act. However, other incidents were recorded, the most dangerous of which was the acid release on July 12 last year, thought to have taken place on or near Wood Lane outside White City Tube before the victim sought refuge with station staff late at night. No action was taken by TfL, with British Transport Police (BTP) being informed, according to the log. The 'ice melt' on January 13 led to a station being closed and the area cleaned, with the material logged as a 'chemical health hazard'. In five cases, asbestos was discovered, including on November 13, when the find was logged as a 'near miss incident' by the operator. The investigation outcome for each incident reads: 'Asbestos was discovered during maintenance activities and removed or managed in accordance with TfL policies. 'No asbestos fibres were released into the air because of the incident.' A further three cases related to dust being removed – with one classed as: 'Environmental – air quality.' A TfL spokesperson said: 'The majority of these 12 incidents were the discovery of concealed asbestos, which was safely removed with no fibres being released. 'There was only one occasion of potentially harmful substance and TfL treats any suspected chemical release on the network extremely seriously. 'Any incident is managed following appropriate health and safety guidance and the safety of customers is always our highest priority.' Releasing the information, TfL stated that airborne particulate matter levels on the Tube are 'well below' the Health and Safety Executive limits, as well as the more stringent Institute of Occupational Medicine recommendations on most of the network. More Trending However, the operator said that the dust is classified as a hazardous substance in accordance with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations, so has been included in the records. A BTP spokesperson said the acid attack was a Metropolitan Police case. Metro has approached the Met for comment. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: What's it like unravelling the 'puzzle' of Covid-19? MORE: Woman 'spiked with Devil's Breath' by stranger who sat next to her on empty Tube carriage MORE: What is devil's breath? The truth behind the 'world's scariest drug'
Metro
18-07-2025
- Metro
What is devil's breath? The truth behind the ‘world's scariest drug'
It's a drug with a terrifying reputation for leaving 'zombified' victims at the mercy of criminals. So-called devil's breath has allegedly been used to swiftly incapacitate people who are targeted for sexual assault and robbery, with one reported incident in London. The report came when a woman told how she believed she was targeted with the substance – also known as scopolamine – as she travelled on the Tube. Deborah Oscar, 30, described how she felt 'high' and 'sleepy' as a woman sitting beside her slowly waved a newspaper in an empty carriage. The content creator, from south east London, feared she was being targeted for robbery after running into two suspicious men in another carriage as she fled. However, a former British drugs intelligence head told Metro that the notion of devil's breath being used as a potent airborne incapacitant is likely to be an urban myth. Dr Les King said: 'Scopolamine is strictly called hyoscine as a medicine and it's allegedly used in Colombia for criminal purposes. 'But the evidence is very, very thin and there's no toxicology, blood or urine analysis, or any other body analysis, to show that people have been attacked with this substance. It all seems a bit unlikely to me. 'I've heard stories of business cards being impregnated with this substance and the recipient falling ill. 'That's really not just on. 'Although this substance is present in skin patches you can buy for travel sickness, it takes hours to absorb into your skin. 'My attitude as a scientist and a forensic scientist is: Where's the evidence for this? There is no evidence, it's all rumour.' Derived from plants native to South America, including the Brugmansia, the drug does have potent effects on humans. Stories abound of victims in Colombia and Ecuador being 'zombified' by criminals who then assault, rob or even kill their human prey. In 2012, the US State Department cited unofficial estimates of 50,000 scopolamine incidents a year in Colombia. More commonly known as burundanga in South America, it's even been called 'the world's scariest drug' by the UK Addiction Treatment Centres. The folklore surrounding the drug includes stories of it being used as a Nazi interrogation tool and in ancient Colombian times when it was said to have been given to the mistresses of dead leaders who were willingly buried alive with their lovers. The myth forms part of a fabric of well-documented ritual or shamanic use of such plants in the country. The name refers to the drug stealing someone's soul. In more recent times, the CIA trialled the drug unsuccessfully as a 'truth serum' in Cold War interrogations and it has taken on a number of medical uses, including for the relief of motion sickness. However, the clinically documented effects of the drug come from it being absorbed in liquid or powder form rather than being blown into someone's face or planted on a business card. In high doses scopolamine is incapacitating. Someone who has taken the substance will feel drowsy and might not remember what had taken place. Scopolamine has been associated with short and long-term memory loss and been used in research into Alzheimer's disease. Used for travel sickness, it comes in patches or tablets that prevent vomiting. NHS advice for this form of the drug says side effects can include blurred vision, dizziness and being unable to concentrate. One documented poisoning made UK headlines when Joel Osei used a fake dating app profile to entrap 43-year-old Irishman Adrian Murphy before killing him with an overdose of scopolamine. A can of Coca-Cola was found to contain traces of the substance and Osei's fingerprints were discovered on a bottle of whisky left at the scene. Osei was jailed for life with a minimum of 32 years in 2021. A published academic paper in 2013 did find that 'scopolamine has become a drug of common use for recreational and predatory purposes'. Jorge Sáiz and his co-authors found that devil's breath 'has become a drug of increasing use in Europe'. However, Dr King, who was the head of drugs intelligence at the former Forensic Science Service, is sceptical. In a response to the paper along with four scientific peers, he found: 'There is little doubt that when used in sufficient quantity, and added to food or drink, scopolamine has the ability to incapacitate. 'In Norway in 2008, there was an epidemic of poisoning caused by tablets containing scopolamine sold and used under the impression that they were Rohypnol tablets. 'On the other hand, suggestions that scopolamine can be unwittingly absorbed by skin contact with impregnated cards are considered to be a myth.' The NHS said it had 'no info or data on the usage of hyoscine/scopolamine.' Metro has contacted the European Drugs Agency to ask if there is any evidence of devil's breath use on the continent. More Trending 'The stories of people being hit in the back of taxis are pretty unlikely,' Dr King said. 'To begin with, where would you get such a concentrated amount of the drug from? 'Hospitals might have it, pharmaceutical companies might make it, but I've never seen any suggestion of it being stolen or diverted. 'This is not to say I'm not open-minded, but there's just no real evidence that any criminal activity is taking place.' Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: British girls 'were spiked with Devil's Breath zombie drug' before being raped MORE: Kids as young as 10 'being driven into county lines drug gangs by cost of living crisis' MORE: 'I'm a reformed drug smuggler – this is how mules will be feeling on flights'
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
How ‘Devil's Breath' zombie drug used to spike victims is flooding hols hotspots – as Brit target gives chilling warning
YOU'RE enjoying a night out - partying with friends - when suddenly you begin to feel woozy, you feel your heartbeat increase, you start to see hallucinations and you find you can't even speak. Then you black out, waking up hours or even days later with no memory of what has just happened - you may have been spiked with a terrifying drug known as the "Devil's Breath". 11 Devil's Breath comes from the seeds of the Borrachero tree Credit: Alamy 11 Deborah Oscar was left fearing for her safety after being "spiked" with the drug Credit: SWNS 11 Tourists and revellers around the globe fear they are being...
The Irish Sun
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
How ‘Devil's Breath' zombie drug used to spike victims is flooding hols hotspots – as Brit target gives chilling warning
YOU'RE enjoying a night out - partying with friends - when suddenly you begin to feel woozy, you feel your heartbeat increase, you start to see hallucinations and you find you can't even speak. Then you black out, waking up hours or even days later with no memory of what has just happened - you may have been spiked with a terrifying drug known as the "Devil's Breath". 11 Devil's Breath comes from the seeds of the Borrachero tree Credit: Alamy 11 Deborah Oscar was left fearing for her safety after being "spiked" with the drug Credit: SWNS 11 Tourists and revellers around the globe fear they are being targeted with the mysterious drug - which is said to turn people into "zombies". It has been linked to tens of thousands of crimes in South America - and is even behind several deaths. It's also been reported in European holiday hotspots, including in the UK. Officially called scopolamine, the "Devil's Breath" is derived from the toxic Borrachero tree from South America and it has become a weapon of choice for criminals. Once tested by the CIA as a truth serum, the drug renders its victims powerless, compliant, and blank — leaving them unable to resist, and often unable to recall anything afterwards. A leading UK addiction specialist told The Sun that the misuse of Devil's Breath could pose one of the most dangerous threats to the public - with it being used by criminals in robberies, assaults and sexual attacks. And a top Spanish anti-drug cop has issued a warning to tourists - telling them be on the lookout for Devil's Breath in party hotspots. Meanwhile, a British woman who claims to have been spiked with the mind-warping drug also issued a stark warning to both holidaymakers and people on nights out. Zaheen Ahmed, director at UK Addiction Treatment, told The Sun the drug can cause terrifying symptoms - with users becoming vulnerable almost instantly, with symptoms likened to sedation, confusion, and memory loss, he explained. 'It will create hallucinations," Mr Ahmed said. "A person will have difficulty around their thinking. That's why people use it in criminal activity... it can be a really dangerous weapon. 'It can be one of the world's most dangerous [drugs], given what it can do to people if it's used the wrong way.' Inside Europe's 'cocaine capital' where gangsters bomb cafes, gun down children & X in terrifying wave of drug violence And he described how the drug's method of administration makes it far more threatening than typical date-rape drugs. He explained: 'For example, with other drugs, they have to mix it and someone has to digest it. 'But with Devil's Breath, someone can hold it in their hand and just blow it on your face — so how are you going to protect yourself?' 'EERIE AND VERY ODD' The drug has already been implicated in several chilling deaths. In 2019, Irish dancer Adrian Murphy was murdered in London after being poisoned with scopolamine by a woman he met on Grindr. She and her boyfriend were convicted of his murder and the attempted murder of another man. More recently, Alessandro Coatti, a 42-year-old British-based scientist, was discovered dismembered in Santa Marta, Colombia . Lured via a dating app, investigators suspect he was drugged before being brutally murdered. His severed limbs were scattered across the city — a hotel wristband was all that remained to identify him. Devil's Breath is now feared to be making its way into UK cities - with one woman Deborah Oscar believing she narrowly escaped an attack while riding the Elizabeth Line. She told The Sun: 'I suddenly felt very peaceful. Like the first few seconds when you have anaesthesia before a surgery.' The 30-year-old content creator said she was riding a nearly empty train when a woman wafted a newspaper in her face, stared intently, and sat beside her. Moments later, Deborah said she felt lightheaded and unnaturally calm. "I assumed she was a confused tourist about to ask for directions," she recalled. "But she just maintained eye contact — it felt eerie and very odd." Deborah managed to escape by switching carriages and disembarking early — a decision she now believes may have saved her life. "If I hadn't seen those videos, I would probably have just sat there and I don't know what would have happened." Her TikTok story has since gone viral, with 20 people in the UK saying they had similar experiences, and hundreds more abroad sharing suspicions of being drugged with scopolamine. "The criminals know there are few repercussions," she said. "What can you do when you tell the police you gave someone your own phone or bag?" She added: "Nobody wants to be rude or appear paranoid. But it's better to recognise the situation and flee and be safe than to take a risk." British Transport Police confirmed they are aware of the video - but no formal report has been filed. And Transport for London also said they were investigating the incident - describing it as "extremely frightening". While Mr Ahmed stressed the need for toxicology information, he didn't rule out the possibility of Deborah being exposed to scopolamine in the reported attack. He said: 'It is a high chance this can happen easily… there are drugs available that can instantly affect a human being. 'If that's the case [the attack was made with scopolamine], it will completely change the whole game — how people are going to rob people, snatch things… the situation will become really dangerous.' 11 The 30-year-old suspects she was spiked on a London train with 'Devil's Breath' drug Credit: SWNS 11 Jacob Irwin-Cline claims he was also spiked with the 'Devil's Breath' in London And Deborah is not the only person who claims to have been hit with the drug in the UK. American tourist and crypto investor Jacob Irwin-Cline, 30, claims to have been spiked and robbed while in a fake Uber in London. He claims he was robbed for around £100,000 after smoking a cigarette laced with what he believes was Devil's Breath. Irwin-Cline says he was offered the smoke by the driver - but then started to feel dazed, drowsy and passed out after a leaving a Soho nightclub. He claimed he was left "really docile" and has vague memories of the driver asking him for his passkeys on his crypto apps. He then passed out after around 30 minutes. The US tech whiz suspects he was hit with scopolamine, the Devil's Breath, during the suspected spiking on May 9. What is Devil's Breath? REPORTS of the Devil's Breath drug have been seen across South American, Europe and even in the UK. Some people may take the drug on purpose for a "dream-like state" it can induce, mistakenly thinking it will be like mainstream hallucinogens like LSD. But Devil's Breath hallucinations tend to be far more disturbing and disjointed, often manifesting as nightmarish visions or confusing scenarios that blur the lines of reality. It may also be taken by mistake due to its close resemblance to cocaine. The correct dosage of the drug is notoriously hard to pin down, and even a slight miscalculation can lead to an overdose. This can lead to respiratory failure, acute psychosis and even death. Symptoms may include dry mouth, difficulty speaking, lethargy, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat and disorientation. Source: The UKAT Group 11 Hermelo Molero warned about the use of the Devil's Breath in Spain Hermelo Molero, a top Spanish anti-drug cop based in Bilbao, issued a chilling warning to tourists on how they can be targeted - especially in nightlife-heavy spots abroad. Spain recorded its first case of the zombie drug being used in 2016 - when a 36-year-old woman in Majorca tested positive for the substance. He told The Sun: "It is always related to nightlife, especially crowded nightclubs. "In summer , it is common to look for places full of tourists where the victim is even more defenceless." What's more chilling is that the substance isn't just used for theft - but more heinous crimes too. Mr Molero continued: "This type of substance is used for crimes against property [robbery] and sexual aggression, as these drugs are used to subdue the victims, who do not have the same defence options." Alongside being wafted in victim's faces, the drug is "easily dissolved in drinks" - with criminals using "the victim's carelessness with a drink that is being ingested," the drug chief explained. He added: "Generally, when it is to steal, the offenders are usually two or more people, especially if they have the intention of not only stealing your belongings but also want to steal from your home or hotel. "If the interest is sexual, it is usually a sexual predator who acts individually." Mr Molero warned holidaymakers to "always keep your drinks under control" and stressed the importance of maintaining "a high level of awareness" as "if we are very drunk we will hardly be able to control our drinks". He said: "If it is a bottle use the stopper to protect it and if it is a glass it is not a bad option to put a paper napkin over [it]." Mr Ahmed recommends the public stay cautious in crowded spaces and consider basic protective measures. 'If someone is blowing [powder], they might wear a mask or something that will protect them,' he said. Chemical hypnosis Just 10 milligrams of scopolamine can obliterate a person's free will. The drug disrupts memory formation and suppresses higher brain function, leaving the victim suggestible and eerily cooperative - handing over PINs, passwords, and valuables without hesitation. Criminal gangs in Colombia are dispersing the drug in drinks, gum, cigarettes — even business cards soaked in the substance — often after luring victims via dating apps like Tinder or Grindr. Grapefruit juice enhances the drug's potency, slowing its breakdown and increasing absorption in the gut. In Bogotá and Medellín, the tactics are disturbingly creative: sprinkled scopolamine on jackets, ATMs, even elevator buttons. Victims faint, blackout, or enter a dream-like obedience state — all before realising what's happened. 11 UK-based scientist Alessandro Coatti was poisoned in Colombia Credit: 11 Adrian Murphy was poisoned with the "Devil's Breath" drug before being murdered in London 11 Tourists in Colombia are being targeted by gangs wielding a terrifying drug known as Devil's Breath Credit: AFP Tourist deaths in Colombia - many of them drug linked - surged by 29% last year, and Medellín saw a 200% spike in Devil's Breath robberies in the final quarter of 2023 alone. The US Embassy has since issued a high-alert advisory, warning: 'Use of dating apps can increase your risk.' One of the alleged masterminds is Carolina Mejía Montoya, 27, dubbed The Queen of Scopolamine. The 'Scopolamine Queen' She is believed to have led a multimillion-peso theft ring in Medellín, using her looks to charm foreign tourists before drugging and stripping them of cash, cards, and jewellery. CCTV shows her ushering victims into short-term rentals — where they were later found drugged and confused. On one night alone, she allegedly stole 120 million pesos from two men. Despite previously being placed under house arrest, she vanished and continued her spree — until police finally caught up with her. 'You do anything they say' The impact of Devil's Breath is described by victims as both hypnotic and terrifying. Fernando, a 64-year-old from the UK, believes he fell victim while on a business trip to Bogotá back in 2012. He told After drinking what he suspects was a spiked beer, Fernando blacked out and woke up the following day with €1,000 missing. CCTV later showed him returning to his hotel, retrieving a bank card from his safe, and leaving again—all while still under the drug's influence. 'It does something to your brain where you forget completely… it's like a vacuum,' he added. 11 Gang boss Carolina Meija Montoya arrested in Medellin Credit: Policía Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá 11 A TikTok user known as "Manning" claimed he was drugged with scopolamine and attacked after connecting with someone through a dating app Credit: TikTok / @soymanning2 Robbed without remembering it Others have faced even worse outcomes. A Colombian TikTok user known as Juan Esteban 'Manning' recounted being drugged after a Tinder date and waking up six hours later in a looted apartment, stripped of everything from designer clothes to flip-flops. 'It was the worst experience. I woke up and found myself lying in my apartment, a mess,' he said, according to Infobae. Security footage showed his date calmly walking out with stolen suitcases. And it's not limited to nightlife or dating apps. In Bogotá, attackers have used scopolamine in broad daylight — dusted on jackets, notebooks, even ATM keypads. The drug's power lies in its stealth — most victims don't realise they've been exposed until far too late. Many never report it out of confusion, embarrassment or shame. Toxicology professor Kamyar Afarinkia explained the drug's ease of use: 'You can get a business card, soak it in [scopolamine], let it dry and then give it to somebody. 'When they touch it, unless they wash their hands quickly, it gets absorbed under their skin.' In North Carolina, Charlotte resident Paranda Davis took to Facebook to sound the alarm after a close friend was allegedly drugged by a stranger. 'She remembered a Hispanic woman approaching her… and then everything went blank,' Davis wrote. Hospital tests later confirmed Scopolamine was in her system, according to Davis. 'This incident happened right here in Charlotte, NC and I know the victim personally,' she posted. 'She gave me full permission to share her story in hopes of warning others.' Davis urged followers to stay alert, noting criminals may 'blow it in your face, lace your drink, or put it on paper, cards, or handshakes.' Another Facebook user, Angela Moore, reposted Davis' warning, adding: 'This exactly what happened to me.' Critics and doubts Not all experts agree on the scale of the threat. Former government toxicologist Dr Les King argues the effects of scopolamine might be overstated. He notes that the drug is a solid, not a gas , and claims it would be difficult to absorb enough through casual contact to incapacitate someone. 'Just picking up something that's been impregnated with this drug is not going to cause you any harm,' Dr King said. He added that other drugs like benzodiazepines may be behind many reported cases, citing a lack of toxicological evidence for scopolamine-related attacks. But for Deborah — and many others — the danger feels very real. 'The more people that know,' she said, 'the more people that might be able to help. Or help someone else who is being targeted.' 'Trust your gut,' Deborah warns. 'It's best to be wary — than to be a victim.'
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Common anti-sickness drug chillingly dubbed ‘devil's breath' is turning people ‘into Zombies', experts warn
Experts fear is being used to fuel criminal activity in the UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COMMON motion sickness drug has a chilling dual identity, as it's deployed in the criminal underworld to turn people into pliant "zombies". Dubbed "devil's breath", the substance can erase people's memories and strip them of their free will, leaving them unable to resist demands. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Anti-sickness pill scopolamine also has a sinister use in the criminal underworld Credit: Getty 3 In high doses, the substance can erase memory and turn people into 'zombies' Credit: Getty In medicine, the drug is known as scopolamine. It's used to prevent motion sickness and nausea and is available in tablet form in pharmacies, sold over-the-counter. But the same plants used to produce anti-sickness pills yield a compound that's been put to dangerous use in parts of South America and Europe. Now, there are concerns scopolamine is being used to fuel criminal activity in the UK. Reports of devil's breath mostly come Colombia and other parts of South America, burundanga - as it's known - has been implicated in countless robberies and sexual assaults. As for Europe, three people were arrested in Paris in 2015 for allegedly using the drug to turn people into compliant 'zombies' and rob them. The UK's first known murder linked to scopolamine was reported in 2019, when Irish dancer Adrian Murphy was poisoned by a couple attempting to steal from him. And just last month, Deborah Oscar, 30, claimed she was spiked with the terrifying drug on a London tube. She was on the Elizabeth Line leaving from Abbey Wood when a woman wafted a newspaper in her face - leaving her feeling "high" and "sleepy - before sitting next to her in an empty carriage. Remembering a TikTok she'd seen about devil's breath, Deborah was able to stumble off the tube to safety. Zaheen Ahmed, Director of Addiction Therapy at The UKAT Group, told The Sun at the time: "It wouldn't be a stretch to suggest that devil's breath could have made its way into the UK. "Unfortunately, when there's high demand for drugs, especially 'new' drugs, supply will find a way. "Although primarily found in Colombia, we know that it's already made its way into Europe, and so unfortunately, there is every chance that it is already here." Drug 'weaponised' As a drug, scopolamine blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a vital role in memory, learning, and coordination, according to Dipa Kamdar, a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University. She wrote in The Conversation: "Blocking [the neurotransmitter] helps reduce nausea by interrupting signals from the balance system to the brain. "But it also comes with side effects, especially when used in high doses or outside a clinical setting. "Scopolamine disrupts the cholinergic system, which is central to memory formation and retrieval. "As a result, it can cause temporary but severe memory loss: a key reason it's been weaponised in crimes. Once ingested, the drug works quickly and exits the body within about 12 hours, making it hard to detect in routine drug screenings. For some people, even a dose under 10mg can be fatal Dipa Kamdar "Some studies also suggest it increases oxidative stress in the brain, compounding its effects on cognition." Outside of legitimate medical uses - to prevent motion sickness, nausea, vomiting and muscle spasms, as well as off-label prescriptions for depression or smoking cessation - scopolamine is "increasingly associated with danger", Dipa warned. In Colombia and other parts of South America, the substance has been used robberies and sexual assaults. "Victims describe feeling dreamlike, compliant, and unable to resist or recall events," according to Dipa. 3 Deborah Oscar, 30, suspects she was spiked on a London train with 'devil's breath' "That's what makes it so sinister – it robs people of both agency and memory. "The drug is often administered surreptitiously. In its powdered form, it's odourless and tasteless, making it easy to slip into drinks or blow into someone's face, as some victims have reported. "Once ingested, the drug works quickly and exits the body within about 12 hours, making it hard to detect in routine drug screenings. "For some people, even a dose under 10mg can be fatal." Devil's breath: Explained Scopolamine is derived from the seeds of the Borrachero tree, primarily found in South America. In small doses, it has some legitimate medical applications, such as treating nausea and motion sickness. It is thought that the indigenous peoples of South America once took it for its hallucinogenic properties, and it was wielded by shamans for various rites and ceremonies. In modern times, however, it has gained notoriety for far more sinister reasons. While the powdered form is tasteless and odourless, scopolamine is a potent drug that can disorient and incapacitate users and lead to frightening hallucinations. This can make it a discreet tool for malevolent purposes, particularly as it can erase memory, make users highly impressionable and even paralyse them physically. Some people may also take the drug on purpose for a "dream-like state" it can induce, mistakenly thinking it will be like mainstream hallucinogens like LSD. But devil's breath hallucinations tend to be far more disturbing and disjointed, often manifesting as nightmarish visions or confusing scenarios that blur the lines of reality. It may also be taken by mistake due to its close resemblance to cocaine. The correct dosage of the drug is notoriously hard to pin down, and even a slight miscalculation can lead to an overdose. This can lead to respiratory failure, acute psychosis and even death. Symptoms may include dry mouth, difficulty speaking, lethargy, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat and disorientation. Source: The UKAT Group A 2017 report details the case of a 47-year-old Canadian man holidaying in Bogota, Colombia, who claimed to have been robbed at a bus terminal. He experienced memory loss for approximately 12 hours and emerged from his stupor to realise he was missing $250 in cash and his mobile phone. "He had no signs of physical or sexual assault; however, he felt disoriented and confused, was unable to concentrate, and suffered from marked xerostomia [dry mouth]," the report authors noted. Believing he may have been exposed to scopolamine, he visited a doctor when he was back in Canada. Toxicology and drug screenings came back negative. "We recognised that our patient described the anticholinergic toxidrome [blockage of acetylcholine receptors] expected in scopolamine intoxication," medics said. Dipa described the symptoms of scopolamine poisoning as rapid heartbeat and palpitations, dry mouth and flushed skin, blurred vision, confusion and disorientation, hallucinations and drowsiness. "If you experience any of these, especially after an unexpected drink or interaction, seek medical attention immediately," she warned.
