Yet another Ayahuasca retreat busted in Spain

[blig-blug]

Ayahuasca retreats continue to be raided in Spain: Operación 'Quimera': Desmantelada en Valencia una falsa clínica que "curaba" con drogas Note that it happened with clients inside. This is on purpose, the police likes to raid retreats when ceremonies are ongoing. I suppose the point is to traumatize clients and intimidate future clients, as attending a ceremony is not illegal (they're illegal to organize).

I'm sharing this because many seem to believe that Ayahuasca retreats are legal in Spain. They are not, and if you choose to go to one, you need to understand there's a real possibility the police will raid it with you inside. The likelihood is not that high, but it's very important to not ignore this is a real possibility.

 

[Neo-shulginist]

I suppose the point is to traumatize clients and intimidate future clients, as attending a ceremony is not illegal (they're illegal to organize).

I'm not a Spanish legal expert, but I'd think that they choose to raid during the ceremony because that will give them the evidence they need for a court case.

 

[northape]

Operation 'Chimera': Fake clinic that "cured" with drugs dismantled in Valencia
They offered ayahuasca, mushrooms, psilocybin, “kambó” and “bufo alvarius” as medicinal remedies

What a title! They had quite a lot of drugs available too. I don't know what to say here. Europe is even against tobacco, so sure enough they will come for psychoactive plants too. These retreats are mostly a business opportunity for people, so I can't even be angry. Like you said, it's best to be aware, though.

A few days ago I found that aya plants are openly sold here. Mind you, they are all in the grey zone according to local law and mostly registered as health hazards. They are legal to obtain, but you can easily make a case against anyone buying them, because the preparation itself is illegal. Comically enough, they are just reselling stuff from one of the well-known EU suppliers with a 2x increase in prices. I fear that Sweden will ban it all for good in a few years. I'm sad, but maybe it's better that way. Right now, a know-it-all teen can buy some mimosa and caapi and destroy his life without any problem. That's not good either.

 

[blig-blug]

I'm not a Spanish legal expert, but I'd think that they choose to raid during the ceremony because that will give them the evidence they need for a court case.

Not unlikely that it played a role too. However they were advertising online, and I'm sure they keep some kind of accounting. But yes, it likely makes it easier.

I still think there's a factor of punishment and intimidation on purpose here. This seems to have been a sketchy retreat (e.g. it seems they offered the diluted bleach "cure" called Miracle Mineral Solution), illegal as they were offering it publicly and making a profit. But they have acted in the exact same manner against Santo Daime, whose ceremonies are legal (no profit, not open to the public, not advertised, Ayahuasca is not illegal...). Despite SD being acquitted every time, they have raided their ceremonies multiple times, and probably will keep doing it. That's why I think there's an element of persecution, intimidation, and punishment in the decision to raid while a ceremony is ongoing.

 

[Nydex]

This is really sad and quite possibly caused irreparable emotional damage to the participants...It's particularly unsettling for me since I'm planning on doing a deep dieta in Spain next year, but what gives me hope is that this particular retreat's organizers/owners do not advertise openly anywhere and you can get in only by recommendation from one of the regular participants who connect you to the healers. It's not a guarantee of course because people like to talk, but it's far better than a retreat that openly advertises on social media.

 

[blig-blug]

This is really sad and quite possibly caused irreparable emotional damage to the participants...It's particularly unsettling for me since I'm planning on doing a deep dieta in Spain next year, but what gives me hope is that this particular retreat's organizers/owners do not advertise openly anywhere and you can get in only by recommendation from one of the regular participants who connect you to the healers. It's not a guarantee of course because people like to talk, but it's far better than a retreat that openly advertises on social media.

Yes, I agree the more serious and discreet retreats will be less likely to get raided. Also, the probability of it happening is still very low, statistically. The reason I wanted to share it here is not to scare people away from doing it, just so people are aware of this particular risk when thinking about coming to a retreat in Spain. As one could have the impression they're fully legal and the risk of something like this is close to zero.

 

[Nydex]

Yes, I agree the more serious and discreet retreats will be less likely to get raided. Also, the probability of it happening is still very low, statistically. The reason I wanted to share it here is not to scare people away from doing it, just so people are aware of this particular risk when thinking about coming to a retreat in Spain. As one could have the impression they're fully legal and the risk of something like this is close to zero.

Indeed, what you did is very valuable. People need to understand the risk and be able to judge it for themselves. Just blindly assuming that Aya retreats are legal in Spain because there are so many is a bad move. Thank you for sharing this, and I pray that everyone in that ceremony can recover emotionally from this and avoid any serious consequences, both legal and personal.

 

[doubledog]

Seems to be strongly about ability to be discreet and not too openly socially provocative. Same as in my country, you just need to be hidden or to not piss anybody off.

 

[blig-blug]

Seems to be strongly about ability to be discreet and not too openly socially provocative. Same as in my country, you just need to be hidden or to not piss anybody off.

Up to a point, yes. However the Santo Daime people are exceedingly discreet and they're still having lots of problems, despite not having been convicted of any charge ever so far. It seems that as soon as there's a religious aspect of it, a special police unit against "dangerous sects" gets involved.

 

[bezevo]

Nobody exspects THE SPANISH INQUSITION !

ya special unite

Thank you Monty Python

 

[Neo-shulginist]

It seems that as soon as there's a religious aspect of it, a special police unit against "dangerous sects" gets involved.

Classic Spanish inquisition.