i am putting this the trip report section because i think its important enough to let as many eyes see and understand this before you head down to Colombia.. After spending much time in Medellin and for the most part feeling safe..never underestimate the will and creativity of criminals to get one over on you... This seems to be the new "trick" to rob you.

I m heading down there this coming Sunday for Sinus surgery. A friend of mine was nice enough to share this info with me... so let me pass it on to you. Let me just state the obvious.. pay attention to your surroundings!


BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - The last thing Andrea Fernandez recalls before being drugged is holding her newborn baby on a Bogota city bus.

Police found her three days later, muttering to herself and wandering topless along the median strip of a busy highway. Her face was badly beaten and her son was gone.

Fernandez is just one of hundreds of victims every month who, according to Colombian hospitals, are temporarily turned into zombies by a home-grown drug called scopolamine which has been embraced by thieves and rapists.

"When I woke up in the hospital, I asked for my baby and nobody said anything. They just looked at me," Fernandez said, weeping. Police believe her son Diego was taken by a gang which traffics in infants.

Colorless, odorless and tasteless, scopolamine is slipped into drinks and sprinkled onto food. Victims become so docile that they have been known to help thieves rob their homes and empty their bank accounts. Women have been drugged repeatedly over days and gang-raped or rented out as prostitutes.

In the case of Fernandez, the mother of three was rendered submissive enough to surrender her youngest child.

Most troubling for police is the way the drug acts on the brain. Since scopolamine completely blocks the formation of memories, unlike most date-rape drugs used in the United States and elsewhere, it is usually impossible for victims to ever identify their aggressors.

"When a patient (of U.S. date-rape drugs) is under hypnosis, he or she usually recalls what happened. But with scopolamine, this isn't possible because the memory was never recorded," said Dr. Camilo Uribe, the world's leading expert on the drug.

Scopolamine has a long, dark history in Colombia dating back to before the Spanish conquest.

Legend has it that Colombian Indian tribes used the drug to bury alive the wives and slaves of fallen chiefs, so that they would quietly accompany their masters into the afterworld.

Nazi "angel of death" Joseph Mengele experimented on scopolamine as an interrogation drug. And scopolamine's sedative and amnesia-producing qualities were used by mothers in the early 20th century to help them through childbirth.

Finding the drug in Colombia these days is not hard.

The tree which naturally produces scopolamine grows wild around the capital and is so famous in the countryside that mothers warn their children not to fall asleep below its yellow and white flowers. The tree is popularly known as the "borrachero," or "get-you-drunk," and the pollen alone is said to conjure up strange dreams.

"We probably should put some sort of fence up," jokes biologist Gustavo Morales at Bogota's botanical gardens, eyeing children playing with borrachero seeds everywhere.

"If you ate a few of those, it would kill you."

Although scopolamine can be easily extracted from the seeds, experienced criminals hardly ever bother with them, police say.

Pure, cheap scopolamine is brought across the border from neighboring Ecuador, where the borrachero tree is harvested for medical purposes, Uribe said. The alkaloid is used legally in medicines across the world to treat everything from motion sickness to the tremors of Parkinson's disease.

The use of scopolamine by criminals appears to be confined to Colombia, at least for now, and it's not clear why the drug is such a rampant problem in Colombia. Some analysts blame it on a culture of crime in the Andean nation, home to the world's largest kidnapping and cocaine industries, not to mention Latin America's longest-running guerrilla war.

There are so many scopolamine cases that they usually don't make the news unless particularly bizarre. One such incident involved three young Bogota women who preyed on men by smearing the drug on their breasts and luring their victims to take a lick.

Losing all willpower, the men readily gave up their bank access codes. The breast-temptress thieves then held them hostage for days while draining their accounts.

The U.S. Embassy in Bogota takes scopolamine very seriously and offers staff tips on how avoid being drugged. One piece of advice may seem obvious: Don't let your drinks out of your sight when at a Bogota bar or nightclub.

Still, at least three visiting U.S. government employees here have been drugged and robbed over the past two years. Other American victims from time to time appear at the embassy seeking help, still shaking off a scopolamine hangover.

"I remember one case, an American reported being drugged," an embassy official said. "He says to his doorman 'Why did you let them walk out with my stuff.' The doorman says, 'Because you told me to.'"

OK, I did a search on Reuters.com for Scopolamine and got a "No results found".

While I think being aware of your surroundings is always a good idea, this has all of the halmarks of Urban Legend.

I checked on snopes.com for Scopolamine and Andrea Fernandez but nothing there.

As far as being "new", this EXACT story showed up in google search results as far back as June 2003... which was on the first page of the google search.

---

quote:

A friend of mine was nice enough to share this info with me... so let me pass it on to you.

---

---

quote:

From Wikipedia: Criminal use and urban legends

In 1910 it was detected in the remains believed to be those of Cora Crippen, wife of Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen, and was accepted at the time as the cause of her death since her husband was known to have bought some at the start of the year.[15] Scopolamine poisoning is sometimes reported by the media as method by which people are raped, killed, or robbed, although largely exaggerated in many unfounded rumors.
For example, there have been a number of unfounded circulating rumors that Colombian robbers were using a transcutaneous delivery mechanism involving business cards, pamphlets or flyers laced with the drug. However, in actual fact, the quantity of toxin diffusing through the skin barrier after one short contact of the fingers with an object is much too small to be readily absorbed in the body and to have any significant effect. The use of burundanga (aka Scopolamine) impregnated visit cards to attack and to rob isolated people is often propagated by chain emails and is presently reported as hoax or urban legend by many specialized web sites.[16][17][18]
Nevertheless, approximately one in five emergency room admissions for poisoning in Bogotá have been attributed to scopolamine.[19] In June 2008, more than 20 people were hospitalized with psychosis in Norway after ingesting counterfeit Rohypnol tablets containing scopolamine.[20]
There have also been reports of tourists being robbed after having scopolamine slipped into their food or drink. Recently, these incidents have been reported in Thailand.[21]

---

Smit-There have been 8 cases in Parque Lleras alone in the past 3 months. One was a very good friend who was drugged in his home when friends visited (see hard drive TR).

Not an urban legend at all. The real deal and very scary. If a girl approaches "you" and strikes up a conversation, run for the hills.

Parc Lleras is where a thief with an 18 year old chica can go and score with a gringo every time.

If a girl walks up to you and the restaurant staff knows her, chances will be that she is okay.

that's real but not dat bad,, u need to be alert every second while u stay down there ,, check out this link..!

part 1

http://www.vbs.tv/es-mx/watch/vbs-news/colombian-devil-s-breath-1-of-2

Part 2

http://www.vbs.tv/es-mx/watch/vbs-news/colombian-devil-s-breath-2-of-2

Damnit Tonysquads!! you stold my link ;)

I've posted those 2 links a few times when this subject came up. I really like the VBS group and think they have done the best job in doccumenting this epidemic. When I first posted as a concern of mine when I planned virgin trip most of the guys called me a pussy and said I was overreacting.. Then as more vets and people who actually live there caught wind PM's started to roll in confirming its reality and danger.

After watching that doccumentary you posted I seriously got chills. Its very real and very likely due to its availability and readiness to use. However from what I understand is that it does take some "know how" in order to make it the powder..the seed from the tree are ready but there are a few steps needed and a compound that is produced in order to make it powder like and ready for use..

The guy in the second link who is the X hitman has the bone chilling tale of what happened to him.. The whole thing is very scary AND (I don't know what the hell Smitopher is talking about) very real...

Sandman,

The guy and or any of the two girls could have just pulled out a gun on HG and his friend and tied them up to achieve the same result of attempted robbery.

I also think you can tell more stories than myself of how many guys in Rio got ripped off and claimed they were drugged into passing out while giving no credit to the liter (or more) of vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey etc... they had also drunk.

It should be mentioned that many men in the USA have lost half their fortunes after consuming a food that causes long term insanity. It's called a "Wedding Cake".


Cheers,


Cubanut

PS. About 3 years ago (in my home city) my brother introduced me to a friend of his. Nice enough guy. Well a week later he was found murdered. Turns out he picked up a street hooker and took her back to his apartment. During sex, she managed to hand cuff him then called her male friends who came and beat him into telling where he had hidden money and valuables then beat him to death. They also stole his van which is how they were caught. The police caught the three driving around still 2 days later. The girl spilled her guts in a plea bargain for a less severe charge (their fingerprints had been found everywhere in the apartment). She got 20 years and her two accomplices got life.

Shit can happen anywhere when you let your guard down.

Shit can happen anywhere when you let your guard down, but it happens more in some places than others. It is good for us to know which places are high risk and which are relatively not.

I think I see a lot of posts on here where someone will step in and say..why are we focusing on Colombia when there are so many other places where things can happen..."crime is everywhere" shit can happen anywhere.." (not a stab at Laguy by any means)

Every time this is brought up there follows all the comparisons about how you can get robbed in Detroit and in Manhattan etc etc..but thats not the focus...

The focus is that this CANT happen just anywhere..these aren't just typical cases of theft, robery or criminal manipulation..the focus is the aid of the DRUG that is primarily grown in Colombia (bogota,medellin...) These aren't typical cases.. You are fucking drugged with a plant that is indigenous to Colombia..HUGE DIFFERENCE!!

For the love of Pete, the article you posted word for word is over 7 years old...

http://www.rense.com/general38/frug.htm

And anyone at anytime that believes the plane ride into Medellin made them thinner, better looking, able to speak Spanish or just generally more charming deserves to be drugged. With all the p4p options, wtf would you even bother talking to someone who approaches you, let alone drink with them?

More blah, blah from dumbasses and ex-pats, any country, any time, you're responsible for your own well being.

Eat your meal with prisoner mentality, guard it. Don't go the washroom until you have an empty glass, do not under any circumstances eat/drink anything that you didn't see the wait staff bring you.

If I'm in Parque Lleras, I'm with someone, I don't go there to get laid, much safer places for that.

Yea, bad things can happen in Colombia and just about anywhere.

This still smells like an internet meme.

Gents,

This story is not new. I remembered reading this before on another site. The exact same story from 2007. And who knows how long ago it actually was written.

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/drug-turns-crime-victims-into-zombies/


Joseph666,

Yes it is a difference but not a HUGE one. Criminals are criminals whether they mug you in the street or drug in your home. So what if they use scopolamine or rohypnol. Same result.

Djanselmo stated:

Let me just state the obvious.. pay attention to your surroundings!

This really is the overall best thing to take away from all this.


Cheers,


Cubanut

BTW- Since everyone here seems to have modern/current cell phones. If you are approached by a lovely lady who seems interested. Ask for her tel # (call to make sure it's hers) and then ask to take a picture of her. Then put it in a text and send both to a friend explaining that you just met her. Your friend can take this one step further by calling her and having a short chit chat about how pretty she looks etc.. Less than 3 minutes to demonstrate some added measure of security. Your friend now has a record of her picture and contact info should anything happen to you. (Of course you and your friend would discuss why you are doing this beforehand).

If she balks on any of this LEAVE HER IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!

Yes, there's crime everywhere but Brazil, Colombia and Mexico are at the top of the heap. Sure, always pay attention but the simple fact is these countries are crime ridden societies where life is cheap. Bottom line is they are more dangerous than most other monger locals. If I need to take all the steps Cubanut wisely suggests just to get laid, I'll select a more tourist friendly environment.

Scopolamine is known more commonly as "burundanga" or "soplo del diablo" (Devil's Breath")

It's real, and dangerous, but I suspect there's a lot of urban legend to it and how it's used. Scope scams are quite common in Bogota, and from what I'm reading here, it looks like it's starting to happen more frequently in the touristy areas of MDE (Parque Lleras).

Despite the scariness of the drug (memory loss is real, and occasionally there is permanent neurological damage afterward), the usual precautions apply: watch your drinks going out, don't make yourself an easy target; have a friend or security guy keep an eye out for you for anything unusual.

I wouldn't be too paranoid about it. Just be careful about strangers or girls approaching you and being very friendly. The bad guys always seem to fool some gringos this way; but you should know by now that people approaching you being all friendly is not common in Colombia in the usual night venues where mongers like to hang out (bars, clubs, etc.). That's normal in many countries, NOT in Colombia! Meeting people when going out at night in Colombia almost always involves a trusted third-party that makes the intro (I'm talking about outside the hooker venues in case it's not obvious).

One guy in BOG supposedly got it when he left a club and drank some soup that was being offered to everyone as they were leaving (somehow, he got the spiked soup).

So keep an eye out for strangers offering things but no need for paranoia. An over-friendly or aggresive girl is probably not going to kill you with burundanga, but she's likely to give you a lackluster session or scam you some other minor way. Again, it should be common knowledge by now that in this country the hookers normally tend to be quite passive. They expect you to make the moves/overtures. So any behavior outside that norm should be a warning sign that the girl could be problematic (maybe not drugging you but short-timing you, etc.).

Hope this clears things up a bit.

If Medellin, or for that matter, Colombia in general was a "lovely little latinamerican country" like the Dominican Republic or Costa Rica, how many tourists of all kinds would be travling there? Or like Rio, the city that never sleeps. What do you think would happen? What do you think would happen to the $20 and $30 casas or Mayorista? Colombia has always been a dangerous venue since it's beginning through Pablo right up to now. And yet, done right, it's one of the most beautiful places on the planet adorned with the most beautiful women.

sorry... I should have said, "IMHO the most beautiful women."

Fucking hookers has inherent risks. Always has, always will. Medellin, Rio and others venues no doubt can be done in a relatively safe fashion. What it boils down to is what amount of risk one is willing to assume in order to save $20 - $50 bucks for a piece of ass. At some point an individual with common sense discretion will make a judgment that the risks outweigh the rewards. Medellin may be approaching that tipping point for some in this forum.

(Message edited by popcorn on January 04, 2011)

Gents,

I think the message is clear. Have fun but be careful. This doesn't mean someone has to be on ever so high alert. Just be use common sense.


BTW- You know for those that would like to visit Medellin but are afraid of doing so, may consider doing a stay at the Casa Blanca.

What could be easier? Call and book a room, arrange an airport pick up. Have Greg Robert or Boyd help you select choice women to order in. Breakfast is included and you can order in lunch and dinner. Fully stocked mini bars but you can have the secretary Sarah order anything from the store.

What could be safer than never leaving one of the best Gringo compounds in Medellin. Some guys already do this but not from fear from the leaving the Casa Blanca but instead they fear what they will be missing while being away from the Casa Blanca.

Not being a shill. Just suggesting that those timid mongers need not miss out on the pleasures of the Paisas.


Stay Horny My Friends,


Cubanut


Photo: Fear No Evil

I like that the term "gringo compound" is sticking...still would like to stay there. The girls are trained to cater to gringos and no bullshit. Apartments are overpriced but I guess you pay for the ease and services attached to it.

The fun part of mongering are the unknown risks, surprises, adventure and some of the work that comes along with it.

If a guy needs it all planned out like the mindless folks who vacation in Disney World, then they should not bother at all. Finding girls to have fun with isn't going to happen like going to an all-inclusive resort or taking a cruise.

I never been to Casa Blanca, but I imagine it has to get a little BigBrother-ish -- jealousy, egos, etc. and it only takes one asshole to ruin a trip. There always has to be that one idiot that just can't understand that the girls are pros.
From what I hear, it sounds like the "house" is usually in favor of the girls which makes negotiation for pay-for-play much more difficult. Once girls have these false expectations about what they should receive, they can be awfully stubborn to convince them otherwise. Over a longer trip, this would certainly impact the budget to pay the premium for these girls.


As far as safety goes, I got robbed twice on my supposedly "secure" college campus. This is one more time than probably over a cumulative total of a year walking the streets of Rio COMBINED with over 200 trips down to TJ (in the much seedier days).

Cincoleche,

No need to imagine the unimaginable. If you ever are in Medellin check out the Casa Blanca for a couple of days THEN make an informed opinion.


Cheers,


Cubanut

Photo: Mansion Girl

Well, I have lived in Medellin for almost 4 years now.

Had a briefcase stolen right from under my nose (on a seat next to me) in Parque Lleras once. Lost a still and video camera in that episode.

Got pick pocketed twice in one day (within 30 minutes of each other)at the Flower parade. Cell phone from one pocket and about 40,000COP from the other. I never go into crowds anymore with anything in my pockets.

Had a home invasion and lost a computer and another camera plus a safe with not much in it except $300USD....he he he!

But, still feel safer here everyday than I did for even 1 day while living in Rio for 2 years. Think I got robbed three times and drugged once in Rio. Know many who got robbed in broad daylight on the streets there and I got followed all too often before ducking into a store or restaurant.

As many have said, no matter where you go to monger, there will be some risks. Just be aware of your surroundings and stay alert, don't get too drunk and don't get too friendly with complete strangers.

And CN, don't forget, even Casa Blanca got robbed at gunpoint one night. I don't care how good your security is. If they want you or something you have, they will figure a way to get it.

Just read the many posts about security and how to avoid being robbed. I almost laugh my ass off when I see some guy with his Rolex, gold chains and a big wad of cash in his hand flashing it as if he is trying to impress somebody. Oh, he is impressing people allright. Just the wrong ones!!!

---

quote:

I almost laugh my ass off when I see some guy with his Rolex, gold chains and a big wad of cash in his hand flashing it as if he is trying to impress somebody. Oh, he is impressing people allright. Just the wrong ones!!!

---

RT, that's one way of looking at it. The other is that it's just chum in the water - it attracts even more sharks. The bandido net gets humming that there are lots of fat targets at a place and before long everyone is a target. Just ask any Rio vet how Help was the last couple of years before closing. In 2002-2004, it was only dangerous after 2:00 AM or so and only on a few side streets. Then, in 2004-2006, it was a bit dangerous on the main street as well, but only pick pocketing. By 2007, you pretty much had to walk with at least one other guy to avoid crap or you had to really watch your pockets - and your back. By 2009, guys were getting mugged at 10:00 PM right in front and for a block or two in all directions and you pretty much needed to take a taxi in and out - and even then, you had to push away the street kids who were real, real bad with the pick pocketing who would start hassling you the second you opened the taxi door.

---

quote:

RT, that's one way of looking at it. The other is that it's just chum in the water - it attracts even more sharks. The bandido net gets humming that there are lots of fat targets at a place and before long everyone is a target.

---

Sandman they got 40,000 from you!! Wait, that is pesos and its about $22.

You carry what you need so when you do get robbed, its no big deal.

Sandman wrote:
And CN, don't forget, even Casa Blanca got robbed at gunpoint one night. I don't care how good your security is. If they want you or something you have, they will figure a way to get it.
END


Sandman,

Yes indeed they were robbed once and because of that MANY things were put in place to at least greatly deter a repeat.

One of the main things is that NO Colombian males are allowed in the compound other than staff or workers in the day. Cameras inside and out and a close relation with the local police is another step.

Also at the time frame of the robbery (when it was called the Mansion), the building across the street was still under construction with a large work fence and debris to give some cover to the thieves. Now there is a wide open area and although the buildings security guards are watching their own premises, they have been compensated to keep an eye out to call police should they see anything out of the normal gringo activity. Greg also upgraded their own night security guard situation.

It's funny when I think back to the first time I stayed at the Mansion. My friends and I were only the 2nd 3rd and 4th guests to ever stay at the Mansion. On a Saturday I was late getting back form a casa and so the last man out the door to head to Mango's to join Greg and 16 invited girls. I didn't know whether to lock the front door or not because it was open when I got there. So I called Greg on his cell and he said just leave it open because he was the only one with a key. Then he thought about it and said to lock it.

That's right, there was a time when no one had there own key to the front door! Just to the rooms. And no night watchman. So I locked the door. Later that night Everyone BUT Greg made it back to the Mansion at a decent hour and we were now locked out. My buddy climbed over the fence nearest the pool area (which now has barbed wire) then hoisted a work ladder up to the second floor and crawled through an open window then down the stairs to open the door for us. I thought it strange that Greg locked the patio/pool access door but not the front door. Lol!!


Cheers,


Cubanut

"When you do get, robbed it's no big deal"

That's an interesting statement. Getting robbed is a big deal to most anyone regardless of the amount. Right up there with boinking hookers who have BF's that are unaware they are prostitutes is no big deal. That's fucking whack! Sounds as though it's no longer a hobby in Medellin, more like a high risk crap shoot.

Popcorn,

REALLY?

I agree with Sandman. I met Sooo many Mongers that had been robbed and or ripped off. Yet the that was no detergent to the hobby there.

If you monger ANYWHERE in this world there is ALWAYS a .99999999 of .999999 chance that something will happen that is not to your liking. In Medellin I have been going since 2005. I am batting .000 in the something going bad dept. And I am sure there are hundreds of other victors that concur.

I am NOT trying to coax you into visiting Medellin. But like I have said before, fearing vicariously through other peoples low guard experiences is no way to live your own life. It can and will keep you from enjoying life's sweet pleasures.


Cheers,


Cubanut

Photo: Sweet Pleasure

I understand the risks can be minimized. But being a latino you are naturally insulated from the risks a gringo might face in a Latin American country. In my youth I hunted pros in Inglewood and Compton and found myself in scenarios with equal or higher risks on occasion. I surely wouldn't reject MDE over the risk factor but others on this board may find this discussion useful when considering a mongering venue. As I stated earlier, at some point the risks may outweigh the rewards.

Popcorn,

At this point of mongering time in Medellin the rewards FAR outweigh any risk that has been discussed here.

Being Latino has nothing to do with being smart about mongering.


Cheers,


Cubanut


PS. You want to talk about taking HIGH Risks, try doing the canopy tour (right outside of Medellin). That's me all the way to the left in the blue shirt and Robert from Casa Blanca in black on the right.

Any good looking monkey's way up there? By the way, your photo inserts are appreciated by all but why not include where the pull was made and how much you paid (LT/ST)? Otherwise for all anyone knows, you could be running a modeling agency. Cheers!

Really not important how old the article is... point is this has happened recently in Medellin and for those of you who are not aware of it... now you are. If it happens to help someone then great

Popcorn,

Here is a tip for you. On each poster's name, you can see how long they have been posting, and you can see their prior posts.

If you did that for Cubanut, you will see that the guy has contributed many trip reports from many locations. You will also see that he writes very well and most importantly I would say he is the best photographer that we have in our community.

So before you randomly start spewing shit, please do a little research.

Everyone gets robbed in Medellin and yes, its a fact of life. Ask 100 Colombians if they ever been robbed and I bet, at least 99 say yes.


They point a gun at you, hand them your stuff, simple.

Didn't say he wasn't well traveled BT, but some including me may wish to follow up on his pulls. Just a request, not spewing shit.

So far so Good, Off to Manizales Reinado del cafe, i taking off in about, half an Hour.

So far so good, 4 girlfriends, 3 more to go.. full report next week.


Kukulkan

This tread has been going since last Sunday.

If this is all we have to discuss, all I can think is that none of you guys can get it up anymore.

MM

Okay, I'll bite. I hereby nominate MM's immediately preceding post as the "Can't Get It Up Anymore Post of the Week."

Without any stiff competition he should easily win the award

(Message edited by copperfieldkid on January 07, 2011)

Thats great, but this section is exclusively reserved for trip reports not discussion or banter. This should be in the Chat section or somewhere under "Topics".

The original poster threw this up here because he wanted the maximum amount of views, but again, this section is for trip reports not banter, chat or discussion.

T

Portege, is that a cork up your ass, or . . . is that a cork up your ass??

No, it's not a cork. What's up his ass belongs to one of the guys he was screwing. You saw the photos in his trip reports... they were guys. Ugly guys.

For the record, I can get it up.

We need more "Get It Up" conversation threads.

This is begging to sound like all the "SKY Is Falling" negative messages from "Chicken Little" (ie. CFK, and Hemp). IT IS TIME TO BONE UP on something more stimulating.

I appreciate Djanselmo's warnings. I will be really careful in Medellin in a few weeks. Thanks a lot, but CHICKEN LITTLE is dead now, and we need more advice on GETTING IT UP.

MM

Time to quit picking on Portege.

Blind people cannot always make the best choices in life.

Give THE POOR GUY a break.

MM

Sorry, but I like to pick on the blind, especially if they are also mentally handicapped.

You may be onto a new sport LAGuy.

Besides, some have earned it..

MM

(Message edited by majormajor on January 09, 2011)

Protege... If i want the maximum amount of views or responses.. only thing i would have to do is post a picture of your small penis..now go get a life