Getting Drugged in Ecuador - Scopolamine

Exploring some important info about scopolamine (or as we know it, escopolamina). It's a medicine from plants like belladonna, helping with motion sickness and nausea. But watch out, folks sometimes misuse it for not-so-good stuff. Stay aware, especially when it comes to what's in your drink.
Safety first!
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Links to know:
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Document Links
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Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a KZbin video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
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The views expressed in this video are in no way intended to be taken as advice on retirement, migrating to Ecuador, investing, buying insurance, or getting your immigration documentation.
I am not responsible for any decision you make after watching my videos.
I don't give advice and I don't recommend anything unless it is based on my own personal, verifiable experience.
I want to be sure that the information I provide is accurate information and I don't want people to make a poor choice based on anything I say.
If one person comes here based on my influence and doesn't like it at all, then has to return to start all over again, I have failed.

[@kenswindle4860]

Any traveler in SA who thinks that "scope" is a myth is putting himself/herself at severe risk. My wife of more than 20 years is Colombian. One of her aunts in Colombia was asked by two other Colombian women for directions. She started to give them directions and they blew white powder in her face. That is the last thing she remembers. She wandered home in a daze late that night. They found out the next day that her bank account was cleaned out. With the help of the bank, they found video of her at an ATM helping the two ladies withdraw money from the account. Again, this is Colombian on Colombian crime against someone I have known for more than 20 years. Scope can be used in a powder or reduced to a pill. So, again, if anyone thinks that this is a hoax or urban myth, you have been warned.

[@Resmith18SR]

Maybe it's a good idea to wear a mask there in Columbia.

[@DJarry394]

Dear expat: think with your big head, not the little one. Staff (including bartenders) are now drugging customers. So it wouldn't matter whether you keep an eye on your drink. Just don't go to bars

[@Resmith18SR]

@@DJarry394 Another reason to never go to Ecuador or Colombia.

[@user-nx9ju2gi6m]

This powder you speak of is the truth & it’s not only in Columbia there is a documentary years ago about this tree that produces this hypnotic affect on people I forget the origin of this tree they make this powder and when this powder is blown in your face you become entranced , I just can’t remember the origin of this country .

[@Manifesting_Secret_Sketchbook]

Glad u mentioned this they use the Bogota white powder. I heard about this yrs ago. Even l be careful never to sleep near a bogota tree otherwise you sleep

[@davebennett4087]

THIS DOESN’T ONLY HAPPEN IN SOUTH AMERICA. My buddy and his wife were drugged in MIAMI last month. They were staying at a high-end hotel and walked one block to an expensive restaurant. They ordered drinks. My buddy took a tiny sip of his wife’s drink. Shortly, his wife started getting woozy. Her legs quit working. He carried her back to the hotel. Although he only took a very small sip of her drink, he also felt very drugged. (He is a very BIG guy, nearly 300lbs) THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, ANYWHERE.

[@susywilliams9217]

Common sense, if you are an older person, young people 9 times out of 10 don't have the interest in you you have in them.

[@fluffy5534]

Thanks for this video. The best advise is if you are alone don't go out after dark. This is true in any country you travel. If you need to drink, always ask for a beer that is not open.

[@paulstein916]

This type of crime has been going on in Miami on and off over the years. Colombian women work the bars looking for guys with fancy watches on their wrists. He goes back to his hotel room with the woman, gets drugged and wakes up with his watch, jewelry, cash and anything else of value gone. The police arrested several woman and I haven’t heard about it recently, but it’s probably still going on. I’ve seen reports of it happening in NY city too.

[@patriciaflaherty]

Now imaging being s3xually assaulted in addition to being robbed, reporting it to the police, and not being believed, or telling a friend or family member and them blaming you for staying out too late or wearing the wrong clothes. This has been happening to women FOREVER.

[@mstallion98]

In Colombia this has been a big thing for awhile however it seems to be spreading to other Latin American countries. The drug can also kill you if you OD on it.

[@Jetmab04]

Not only in South America...certain European countries also seem to have "fun' with this crap...😰

[@lindae420]

This happens everywhere-not just Ecuador.

[@michaelsmith-zo8kh]

It’s happening all over Colombia and now New York City. They are lucky to be alive. There have been plenty that have been killed by overdose.

[@jmp.t28b99]

TRUTH DRUGS like this have been used by covert operators for many years. As an eighty year old retired military/professional pilot , we where trained during the "Cold War" on these type of drugs and their affects. Never let your guard down. Still considering moving to a South American country, but Ecuador is becoming less enticing to me. Thanks Don for this informative video.

[@jamielivingston7765]

Interesting that men in their 60s feel safe when women have been scared of being roofied for generations!

[@JB-uw5yh]

Hey Don, thanks for the video, glad you are still making good videos from AZ.. Its good info for people who are going to SA. All the things you listed are solid. I lived in Colombia, and it is very common there, especially Medellin because of all the foreigners looking to party and hook up.. The crooks are looking for you all the time. And, if you are a lot older than the lady, she is scamming you! In SA, If a lady or especially a pair of ladies are too friendly, watch out! Most ladies in SA dont go looking for hook ups or casual interactions with strangers. From my experience, Good ladies in SA are usually out with a group of friends. Bars are a danger zone!

[@JVDAfghan]

Though I rarely would go to a bar, I know that the women in Latin American countries that I have visited and lived in are very conservative and will not be found unescorted in bars. So, there you are: an older foreigner with no Spanish, trying to chat up a sweet young thing or two at the bar. What could go wrong? I have met some wonderful women here, including my wife, but not in bars, not involving alcohol, and in broad daylight.

[@StevenBoudreau]

Scopolamine use in Ecuador has been listed as a caution on the government of Canada tourist watch list for at least 5 years. Be cautious

[@jmyonan]

Hi Don...very good information and analysis. Thank you!

[@5455cheryl]

Scopalamine can be in a patch as well. Don’t let anybody touch your bare skin.

[@user-nx9ju2gi6m]

This correct , do not allow to touch the skin, has the same effect.

[@jerrygarcia4390]

Wow! Thanks for sharing, Don.

[@GMAceM]

Great information brother and always good to hear from you. It has been quite a while since I’ve heard a mention of a case with scopolamine, but as with all things that I see happen here, crimes do seem to make a full circle and happen again eventually. The only “good” thing is that due to the increased security, the only way something like this does ever happen is if you’re truly unprepared and/or happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[@wtcneverforget8163]

AKA Devil's breath.

[@kathyandthedogs626]

Excellent information, Don. Thanks for sharing. Women are generally more on guard than men, I think, but we all need to be careful, particularly when out enjoying an adult beverage.

[@CassieDavis613]

So true.

[@dovygoodguy1296]

I don't comprehend why this guy got himself involved with them from the start.

[@edsedlak6827]

He forgot that if young women express interest in or want to communicate with an older man, they want something. Danger.

[@Jetmab04]

Sounds as if he forgot to use the substance between his ears he was given by birth... Thanks for sharing Don!!

[@JohnKaman]

@@Jetmab04Sex tourism and its dangersis are not limited to Ecuador. Similar stories come from Columbia. If a man is 65 or older he should ask himself why these young women are interested in him.

[@jamielivingston7765]

Women

[@Jetmab04]

@@JohnKaman I know that - was just referring to this man Don is talking about and, that I know about European countries similar happens, as well as MK-Ultra (LSD) is tortured into innocent human minds "for the fun of it"😪 Certain European self-proclaimed "elites" clearly do not want to learn from History...they just copy it...and, are clearly forgetting that in their attempt to kill us all, they commit suicide.. I actually think Ecuador is a tiny player in this "game" ...and, I think the new president there, is doing a good job....hope so much for all success for wonderful Ecuador and her people!!!

[@Michael-iw3ek]

omg finally someone who says "based on" instead of "based off of"

[@slypup1]

You can be as careful as you can be but if the bartender is in on it they got you!

[@DonShader]

And that has happened here in Manta.

[@intriagoandrade]

I lost a partner from the elementary school once for that drug, He Went to Guayaquil with other friend and went to a bar, and someone get close to them with drinks, they get roabt and drugged, but he got a big amount of that drug and died. Beware!

[@ajadleman]

Great show! BTW: if your interested, scopolamine is mentioned near the end of the movie: "The House on 92nd Street". The movie is a docudrama (I believe the first) spy movie made just after the end of World War II.

[@user-zc9od9wo5c]

Spent a lot of time overseas, it's a big part of the reason I stick to bottled, and even better, canned beer. Tell waitress or bartender to leave it unopened when they serve it to you and open it yourself. A can is not going to be penetrated without leaking. A bottle cap should make a noise when suction is broken, if the cap has been replaced it won't make a noise. Have to have your mixed drinks? Get them from bartender only and watch them make it. Everywhere a person goes, they should take pics and text them to a friend and/or social media post. Take a pic showing the people you are with, the cab you get in, etc. If someone doesn't like that, get away from them. Your safety is more important than offending someone. Your phone out in public should be a functional piece of junk with no access to any important accounts. Yeah that extra phone line costs you more, budget for it. When someone is outside of the safety bubble they have been used to, they need to be aware enough to adjust.

[@robg796]

This is the first time I have heard of a Scopolamine case in Ecuador

[@rosaarodriguez9968]

USA IS COMING TO LATIN AMERICA! SOO SCARY! My friends in California were thinking to move to Texas but its all over! Even nice Seatle now. Whats going on?

[@kelliott7864]

This was going on in Ecuador 20 years ago.

[@karenweaver8957]

​@@kelliott7864You are so right!! It has been going on many, years in Ecuador. I know someone who worked in one of the hospitals in Guayaquil and they have had many reported cases for more than 15 years.

[@sandrafulcher7611]

Unfortunately, this is happening all around the world, not just in South America. It's been a thing for years!

[@johnson12344]

Additional information. Ecuadorians have told me that a drug (probably also scopolamine) can also work by absorption through the skin. For instance, according to one account a 'customer' went into a small shop at down time with only one person working there and gave her a sheet of paper with things he 'needed' only to find out afterwards that her store had been robbed.

[@CassieDavis613]

It makes sense since there is a scopolamine patch. I am not sure how effective other dermal applications would be.

[@destinationmax]

❤ Yes please think with your higher altitude head before you go to a bar. Make a plan and stick to it because once you start drinking, you do lose your inhibitions. like Don says take only enough cash to buy a couple of drinks/food. I keep my cash in different places on my person, leave my bank cards at home when I’m just out exploring, hiking, etc. Also until you really know the place and bartender it might be best to stick to bottled beer and ask to open it yourself. That’s a Cancun Mexico hack. And if you have to go to the baño.. finish your drink first then order another when you get back. And finally, don’t be desperate! Look at your life and great things besides the opposite sex that will bring you joy.

[@DonShader]

Good advice! Thanks so much. I know of a friend in Manta that has moved in with a local "young" girl and her family and he's always given me the impression that he's desperate. I worry about future news on him.

[@destinationmax]

@@DonShader Hi Don! My prediction is that it won’t be good especially if he runs out of money. I hope I’m wrong. I just watched a couple of KZbin videos over the weekend about a guy in the Philippines that did this very same thing.

[@Expat-happy-hour]

I bet that man wished he would have told those women " Sorry SATAN not tonight ! Get back "

[@Coolman1985]

These days its prob best to do day activities, plenty to do

[@RJMincey]

As always, good information and recommendations. I have one additional suggestion. Make a practice of backing up the data on your cell phone - in particular your contacts. This is important not only for the theft scenarios Don mentions in this video but also for other possible misfortunes such as to lose one’s phone or for it to suffer irreparable damage. It’s also useful for easily migrating your data to a new phone. This way you will always have the security of knowing your vital data can be recovered.

[@DonShader]

The cloud is the only thing I can say that is good about the Internet. Having a cloud back up has saved me more than once.

[@RJMincey]

@@DonShader, it's saved me too!

[@carlosrobertoalsina3882]

Don’t drink with strangers, good video

[@Jetmab04]

Thanks a lot Don.. I just had something very sad confirmed....deleted by YT - again. I'll send you a private mail later. Take care till then...🌹

[@claudeclarke3469]

My buddy got Devil's Breathed(Scopolomined) in Medellin. Cleaned out all his cash and credit cards!!!

[@valarieknight7990]

I found it amusing that men would think these women are "beautiful women". I have a lot of young straight male friends and all of them agree that Ecuadorian women are perhaps the most "plain" (and this is being kind) women in all of South America. On the other hand, the Ecuadorian men are a gay man's dream come true. How the women could be so "plain" and the men so "cute" almost defies explanation. I never paid attention to this until my friends started pointing this out to me. If the woman was cute more likely she was Columbian or from Venezuela. To be fair, I have come across two cute Ecuadorian women since I've been here. Nothing to write home about but they had good energy and were very good people. Of course "attraction" is in the eye of the beholder. The more desperate you are, the more likely you're to find someone else attractive.

[@joeyzhang]

Hello Don, I noticed that you haven't posted a new video for a long time, is everything okay? I would like to ask how the security situation is in Manta recently? Is the curfew still in place? Because I plan to drive from Quito next week.

[@DonShader]

I'm in the states and wont return till April sometime. There was a big shooting there the other day and yes, the curfew is still on. That's about all I know.

[@joeyzhang]

@@DonShader Don, thank you for your reply. I had decided to go to Cuenca for a few days before I read your message. anyway grateful.

[@DJarry394]

I don’t go out to any bars, even in Los Angeles. I once thought about moving to Ecuador. Even if CA has a war waged on the entire state, I’m staying put

[@DonShader]

I don't blame you. Have fun.

[@DJarry394]

@@DonShader lol, tbh, I think I have more fun now. Sticking to small gatherings. I’m a veteran of punk bars. I felt safer around a mosh pit than an average club now

[@alainbergeron4520]

Don, it happens a lot in Colombia 🇨🇴 lately. It is very potent and powerful drug. It is tasteless so mixed with a drink you will never know the difference. I think this drug is use by veterinarians to sedate a 🐎 horse!

[@jeanettelebarron3306]

Lucky the drug didn't kill him. Why was he carrying all that valuable stuff to a bar?

[@jeanettelebarron3306]

That drug paralysis and is used before surgery

[@jesseornelas6600]

Don, how are you financing your travel? Is social security enough?

[@DonShader]

Sorry but that's private information.

[@larrypicard8802]

Well he certainly didn’t give any details about what happened to him. There’s a lot he’s not telling.

[@DonShader]

I witheld a lot out of respect for him. We don't know exactly what happened to him but he did a great job of describing events that could lead to being drugged.

[@user-ho1nb6wr7h]

Hi Don and Stella, i sent Stella an email today, but it didn't get thru. i understand if has security issues, just wanted to let you know about it. Thanks

[@DonShader]

If I knew who you were, we could probably help.

[@jorgerojas1576]

I know a few that have gotten escopolaminados in Quito 6:17

[@alkubbo1291]

Hola Don! Thank you for the information as it applies anywhere in South America. Keep safe. Abrazos

[@garymullins4815]

I know several me robbed and drugged in Montanita.

[@dougdileo4727]

where's don? been a while...chillin in az..

[@DonShader]

Chillin in AZ, will be back soon enough and will resume with new content.

[@Resmith18SR]

The horrible people who do these things scope out vulnerable guys and it's worse because of the economy now and the thieves are getting more desperate. Guys have died from this because they don't know what dose could possibly kill you.

[@jamielivingston7765]

Young college age boys have been doing this to women for generations and it gets chalked up to boys will be boys.

[@relicofgold]

Holy crap. This is so disheartening to hear. I rarely go to a bar, and if I do, I get unopened, bottled drinks. The druggers need to be, well, they need to go away.

[@destinationmax]

Same here. 😊

[@CassieDavis613]

For crying out loud!

[@Michael-iw3ek]

""trust your intuition" is the stupidest advice I've heard. we aren't born with intuition, it gets developed through experience. there is absolutely no reason for a typical gringo to have any intuition that would be usable for a country south of the border.

[@DonShader]

Okay, thanks Doc.

[@RJMincey]

Exactly how is the advice not to leave one's drink unattended in the presence of virtual strangers not wise (and obvious) in ALL countries and cultures? Yes, intuition can be developed over time, but the example in this case is not exactly obscure or complicated.

[@Michael-iw3ek]

@@RJMincey Exactly where did I say anything about advice not to leave one's drink unattended? Need new glasses?

[@RJMincey]

@@Michael-iw3ek, my vision is fine, thank you. How is your understanding of the topic here? The topic is the risk that an unwary bar customer might have drugs slipped into his drink. And the need to be mindful of this risk does not apply ONLY to gringos or to countries south of the border. It pertains to ALL countries, even if not in equal measure. To put it another way, in what country would you say it's smart to leave your drink unattended in a bar full of strangers?

[@Michael-iw3ek]

@@RJMincey How is your understanding of what I have written then? You are writing a second essay already that does not at all address what I have written. More words does not equal better reasoning. To put it another way, I am talking about one thing and you are talking about something completely different. We are not discussing the topic of the video. We are discussing a specific statement that was made within the video.

[@rafaelsolorzano700]

Only a num skull will do this, during these days..he really was asking for it.

[@RJMincey]

He may have been careless or foolish - I can’t really say one way or the other. But no one asks for this. And no one deserves it.

[@luiscastro5456]

hahaha if you didn't like it, bite me...