Scopolamine (Burundanga)

• A plant toxin originating from South America — used there to drug, kidnap, and rob tourists
• When taken under physician supervision, used for motion-sickness and gastrointestinal disturbances
• Slightly yellow powder, tasteless, and highly soluble
• Concealed in gum, food, drinks, and cigarettes
• Can even be blown into victim’s face
• Causes blackout, loss of memory, disorientation, "awake trance," delirium, hallucinations, blurred vision, rapid heart beat, dilated pupils, excitability, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, urine retention, convulsions, and fever
• Large doses cause instantaneous unconsciousness, followed by complete amnesia
• Causes a person to release personal information and unknowingly consent to engage in sexual acts
• Lethal in high doses
• Currently difficult to manufacture

Additional Resources

• Article on Burundanga/Borrachio
• Burundanga – The Next Colombian Drug Threat