Clandestine clinic dismantled in Sagunt that sold hallucinogens as cure
The Guardia Civil has shut down a centre that offered ayahuasca and psilocybin retreats without authorisation or qualified staff. Two suspects charged up to 500 euros per session.
Operation against illegal psychoactive substance clinic
According to El Confidencial, the Guardia Civil has dismantled a purported retreat clinic operating without authorisation in Sagunt, where prohibited substances with psychoactive effects were supplied under false therapeutic promises. Operation Quimera concluded with the arrest of its principal person responsible and the investigation of another person linked to the activity.
The investigation began after detecting internet advertisements promoting "retreats" linked to "psychology" and "therapy". The Official College of Psychologists of the Valencian Community (COPCV) reported professional misconduct on 13 July after verifying that those providing these services lacked any qualifications or professional registration. The municipal Department of Activities also confirmed that the property lacked an opening licence, activity permit or any authorisation.
During the investigation it was established that compounds with psychoactive potential were administered at these "retreats": ayahuasca, hallucinogenic mushrooms, psilocybin, secretion from the 'kambó' frog and the so-called 'bufo alvarius'. Officers detected that places were being offered on web portals for amounts up to 500 euros, and that the organisation was handcrafting psilocybin capsules, a substance of high health risk.
The website advertising the "treatments" paradoxically recommended that these substances should only be administered by professionals, but no member of the organisation held the required qualifications despite supplying them and charging patients. On the same page it was falsely stated that participants would suffer vomiting and diarrhoea as "signs of improvement" to "purify" the body, and even claimed that "even cancer does not have the opportunity to grow, in some cases".
Investigators suspected that the "retreats" consisted of administering psychoactive substances over several days, monitoring vital signs and "treating" adverse reactions resulting from their consumption. On 25 September, a search and inspection was carried out at the residence and venue of events, a chalet located in Sagunt.
Numerous substances pending analysis were seized, including a bottle labelled as MMS (Miracle Mineral Solution), a product subject to an illegal medicines alert. Officers also located a capsule-making machine, precision scales, mushrooms with hallucinogenic potential, evidence of cultivation kits, cash and record cards and medical files for several patients.
During the search several "clients" from different parts of the country were found: Tarragona, Barcelona, the Balearic Islands and Bizkaia. The principal person responsible was arrested, and days later a woman linked to the activity was investigated. Both, a 46-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, of Argentine nationality, face charges for offences against public health, professional misconduct and fraud.
The investigation established the existence of a similar facility in Argentina managed by the same organisation. The proceedings have been forwarded to the Civil and Instruction Section of the Sagunto Court.
Source: El Confidencial