Madrid (AFP) – Spanish police said Monday that they had dismantled a group accused of running a “spiritual retreat” that offered hallucinogenic drugs to clients from around the world.

The gang is suspected of operating from a villa in the southeastern town of Pedreguer, charging over 1,000 euros ($1,160) for multi-day stays that included consumption of ayahuasca, San Pedro cactus and a frog venom known as Kambo.

“The retreats were held in groups of up to twenty participants, who were attended to by six employees of the organisation during the ‘astral journeys’,” the Guardia Civil police force said in a statement.

A photo released by the force showed a large room with several mattresses on the floor, along with water bottles and tissue boxes and a guitar leaned against a wall.

Police say the group held several retreats a week without the means to respond to intoxications, and generated hundreds of thousands of euros in undeclared income last year.

It promoted the retreats online with promises of a “mystical” experience and health benefits that drew clients “from around the world, the majority from Europe”.

Police arrested two men and a woman suspected of leading the group and placed five other people under investigation for allegedly acting as “spiritual guides” at the retreats.

They face charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and criminal association.

Officers seized 11 litres of ayahuasca, 117 San Pedro cactus plants and several bottles of Kambo, an oozy substance harvested from the skin secretions of the Amazonian giant monkey tree frog.

Police said the substances “can have unpredictable, dangerous effects”.

    • Angelusz@lemmy.world
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      19 days ago

      Heaven? Going to lala land with almost two dozen other people retching, crying, doing whatever, with only a few untrained staff nearby. It is not uncommon to come out of these things worse than you went in.

      Not the way.

        • Angelusz@lemmy.world
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          19 days ago

          You have no idea where I have been. I very much value set and setting. This, ain’t it chief.

          • marsza@lemmy.cafe
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            19 days ago

            Tell me then. Or, you’re just being argumentative for dopamine. Which is lame, chief.

            • Angelusz@lemmy.world
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              19 days ago

              I do not respond well to your argumentative style of communication, do not let strangers order me around like you try. Thanks for the empty dopamine.

              • marsza@lemmy.cafe
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                19 days ago

                Did you think your initial message was worded in a way to encourage friendly responses? You get what you give, chum.

                • Angelusz@lemmy.world
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                  19 days ago

                  Sorry about your mood, wish you a happier day ahead!

                  (just to be sure: I am not being sarcastic here… just empathetic)