Brittney Griner, two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time Women’s National Basketball Association All-Star, is being held by Russian authorities after customs officials detected Cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, was initially detained while trying to leave the country at Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow back in February on drug charges; however, Russian officials just released the news of Griner’s detainment on Saturday. 

The Russian Federal Customs Service stated that a working dog from the Sheremetyevo Customs canine department located the vape cartridges containing Hash, short for Hashish, oil in Griner’s carry-on luggage. According to the Times, a criminal case has been opened against Griner for “large-scale transportation of drugs.” These charges carry a potential sentencing term of 5 to 10 years. 

What Is Hashish Oil?

Hashish oil, also known as Hash or honey oil, is a concentrated Cannabis extract made from the resin of the buds of the Cannabis plants. This potent form of Cannabis is most commonly sold in cartridges to be used in vape pens, like in Griner’s case, but it can also be ingested, smoked, or rubbed onto the skin. Another common use of Hash oil is “dabbing,” which refers to the use of a special pipe to heat and vaporize Hash oil. 

Hash oil is 4 to 5 times more potent than regular Marijuana and contains a high level of THC, the same psychoactive ingredient as other Marijuana products. Since the processing of Hash oil isn’t standardized, it is unclear how much THC is in any one dose, but it can contain anywhere between 15% to 60% THC. This disparity in the percentage of THC leads to a significant range of side effects. Additional possible physical and mental side effects of Hash oil use include:

• Dry mouth
• Red eyes
• Increased heart rate and appetite
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Memory issues
• Vasodilatation (widening of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure)

Across the US, 18 states allow for the recreational use of Marijuana, and 36 states allow for the drug’s medical use, but Hash oil is not always included in these laws. In the states that have legalized Cannabis oils with low-THC levels, individuals may use Hash oil as medical Marijuana, but it is case by case. In Russia, the recreational or medical use of any form of Marijuana is illegal.

Griner Was In Russia To Play, But Will She Be Able To Leave?

Griner has been playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia for the past 5 off-seasons. The draw to play overseas for many women in the WNBA is the opportunity to make considerably more money than they do on their national teams. For example, the average income of a WNBA player in the US is $130,000; however, in overseas leagues, WNBA players can make up to a million dollars. About 70 WNBA players play with international leagues currently during the off-season, with more than a dozen in Russia and Ukraine. Griner’s detainment over alleged possession of Hash oil places the WNBA player in a dangerous waiting ground amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Russia’s Stance On Drug Policy

What is particularly concerning in Griner’s case relates to Russia’s approach to drug use. In some countries, drug control is underlined with excessive, punitive measures which can undermine public health. In Russia, the country’s policy leans toward the criminalization and punishment of individuals who use drugs or have a substance use disorder (SUD) versus offering support through treatment and harm reduction methods. 

In a case study by BMC, Russia’s official policy toward drug use is described as “social intolerance,” which means that poor treatment of those who use drugs is encouraged and legitimized. Such “poor treatment” of individuals struggling with drug abuse includes denying them access to essential medicines in treating addiction, like Suboxone used in treating Opioid abuse, and implementing treatments such as electroshock therapy and comatose therapy. The lack of evidence-based treatment options for individuals with a SUD in Russia and the harsh stigma around addiction leads to a declining number of individuals seeking medical treatment even as rates of people who use or depend on drugs increase. 

What Happens Next

As the world looks on as the war between Ukraine and Russia continues, a layer of tension surrounds Griner’s arrest as the unrest between Russia and the US grows. There are concerns that the country may be leveraging Griner’s case against the US in response to the Biden administration’s recent sanctions imposed on Russia. On the same day that news broke of Griner’s detainment, the State Department released an updated advisory urging US citizens to leave Russia immediately because of the “potential for harassment against US citizens by Russian government security officials.”

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Over the course of the past two weeks, many liquor stores across the United States have been pulling all Russian alcohol from the shelves. Initially, governors of New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah ordered all governmentally owned liquor establishments to withdraw Russian brands which prompted many other states (and some independently owned stores) to follow suit.

The removal comes as a response to Russia’s recent invasion and attack on Ukraine; a symbolic act of solidarity for the Ukrainian people if nothing else. Brands like Stoli and Smirnoff have disappeared from the floors of stores, assumed to be of Russian origin and production. Though Smirnoff’s roots can be traced back to Russia in the 19^th century, it has long since been owned by the UK and produced by various distilleries, including some in the States. Stoli is actually Latvia-owned and while the vodka is Russian-styled, the company has actively voiced their support of Ukraine; their website adorned with pop up of the international symbol of peace, the dove, in Ukraine’s national colors. Underneath is a message that reads, “Stoli Group stands for peace in Europe and in solidarity with the Ukrainian people” followed by the two hashtags, “#LiberateUkraine” and “#StandWithUkraine.”

While many vodka brands either originate in Russia or are fashioned after or influenced by the nation, there are only a few spirits actually owned and/or produced by Russian companies. Of the $1.4 billion worth of total vodka imports throughout the United States in 2021, Russian brands accounted for $18.5 million; only 1.2% of the vodka sold in this country is from Russia. The most common Russian-owned vodkas are Russian Standard (also sold as Green Mark), Beluga Noble Russian Vodka, and Zyr Russian Vodka, but as they make up very little of the United States’ vodka sales, the boycott and discontinuation of such products will likely not have much of an impact on the Russian economy.

Substances Aren’t A Solution

As if we weren’t living in a world rife with devastation and hardship already, war and destruction occur without reprieve. It can feel all too easy to fall victim to the allure of numbness that alcohol and other substances so often provide. Now more than ever it is important to resist, to remain steadfast and strong and continue to trudge ahead. If you or someone who love is struggling with substance abuse and/or addiction, there are resources to help you.

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Lyrica, a drug manufactured by Pfizer, was initially developed to treat epilepsy. Since that time, it’s been prescribed off-label to treat pain and anxiety — often with disastrous results.

High-profile cases of the drug’s devastating effects have emerged in Australia, where use of the drug has skyrocketed of late; the number of Lyrica prescriptions filled in the country went from 36,000 in 2012 to 4,000,000 in 2018, an increase of over 10,000%.

A correspondingly high human toll is being paid as the drug predominates; Christalla Andreadis, a 52-year-old prescribed Lyrica after a car accident, declared the drug “gets its claws into your soul” while describing the devastating and addictive nature of Lyrica (the generic name for which is Pregabalin).

In addition to suicidal thoughts, use of Lyrica has been associated with respiratory depression; slowed breathing can be dangerous on its own, and the chance of fatality only increases when the user is elderly, has a pre-existing lung condition, or uses Opioids in combination with Lyrica.

Other side effects have been reported; one mother described her daughter’s descent into Lyrica addiction, characterizing her as a once effervescent young woman who began to lose both her spark and control of her behavior — often falling asleep while standing up and acting in other erratic ways — before tragically dying of an overdose in 2020.

And Lyrica isn’t just creating problems in Australia. Gabapentinoids (a class of drugs of which Lyrica is a member) are incredibly common in the US; Lyrica itself cost Medicare $2.1 billion in 2016, as more than 850,000 Medicare beneficiaries were prescribed the drug in that year alone.

When asked by reporters about the dangers of Lyrica, manufacturer Pfizer punted; the pharmaceutical giant denied ownership of the drug — despite their branding being plainly visible on Lyrica’s packaging — and passed the buck to Viatris, a company Pfizer created in 2020.

There’s now a growing curiosity about what exactly Pfizer knew about the destructive and addictive potential of Lyrica while they were spending millions to market the drug to doctors and to an unsuspecting public; perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s not the first time Pfizer has found themselves in hot water because of Lyrica.

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Pfizer’s Lied About Lyrica Before

The US Department of Justice fined Pfizer $2.3 billion for breaking the law in how it promoted 4 of its drugs, including Lyrica, in 2009. At the time, the settlement was the largest health care fraud payout in history. To date, it’s the second largest.

Pfizer faced allegations of paying kickbacks to doctors for prescribing their drugs, making false claims about Pfizer drugs, and promoting off-label use of drugs like Lyrica; it’s illegal for drug companies like Pfizer to promote use of their drugs for reasons not approved by the FDA.

A similarly aggressive and unscrupulous marketing strategy was used in Australia; Pfizer pumped millions into “educational” events for doctors (where drug companies often get to bend the laws around courting medical professionals to their breaking point, shamelessly “wining and dining” care providers in an attempt to get their proprietary medications into as many prescription pads as possible).

Some elected officials have tried to force Pfizer to answer for their behavior when it comes to Lyrica; Senator Ron Wyden, the current chair and then-ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote then-Pfizer CEO Ian Read in 2018 to ask Read why Pfizer had hiked the price of Lyrica multiple times, sometimes by as much as 145%, to the detriment of taxpayers who are prescribed the medication.

Read, for his part, had previously insisted that companies like Pfizer don’t make too much money. Pfizer had well over $41 billion in revenue last year and is expecting $26 billion just from COVID-19 vaccine sales alone in 2021.

They Don’t Take It Like Medicine

If the above reports aren’t bad enough, Buzzfeed News reported in 2017 that Lyrica was “the drug of choice to treat rampant depression, anxiety, and PTSD” in a Greek refugee camp. That Lyrica was (and possibly still is) distributed so widely to refugees may help explain the enormously high rate of suicidal ideation among the demographic; The Washington Post reported the results of a survey that found 41% of a certain subset of refugees have contemplated suicide, and suicidal thoughts are a possible side effect of Lyrica. Other factors most certainly contribute to this troubling statistic — it’s a near certainty that Lyrica use isn’t helping, however.

One observer of Lyrica use within the refugee camp told a reporter that “Life here is hard. Some people take the pill,” going on to say that refugees “do not take [Lyrica] as medicine … they take it like drugs.”

Many people across the world, both Americans and Australians, are doing the same. Only time will tell if public outcry over the actions of companies like Pfizer and the harmful overprescription of drugs like Lyrica will be enough to motivate the elected officials who have failed to rein in drug companies, or the drug companies themselves, who often flood Congress and candidates with donations, to change their ways.

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After 20 years, $2 trillion spent, 4 presidents, and 2,448 American lives lost, US forces in Afghanistan are officially withdrawing after Taliban militants seized the country’s capital, Kabul, this month. Because it is currently the world’s biggest Opiate supplier, some UN and US officials are concerned that Afghanistan’s opium production will increase under the Islamic fundamentalist group who has been profiting from the industry. 

Since 2001, the US has been unsuccessful in halting the production of Heroin that in 2017 accounted for 7% of Afghanistan’s gross domestic product (GDP). Despite not having control of the country for 2 decades, the Taliban has benefited greatly from this market that supplies 8o% of opium worldwide. UN officials estimate that the group made a profit of $400 million between 2018 and 2019. It is believed that the Taliban has become involved in all aspects of the opium industry in Afghanistan including planting, extraction, trafficking, taxing, and building drug labs.

What Are Opioids? 

Opioids are made from a compound that is extracted from the poppy seed. Currently, Afghanistan has over 550,000 acres of poppy fields. Although Opioids, such as Morphine, are usually prescribed to treat pain, all forms of this substance can be highly addictive and lead to fatal outcomes if use is non-medical or prolonged. There is an especially high risk for addiction with Heroin use which was involved in 19.8% of US drug overdose deaths in 2019. Opioid use and fatalities have been steadily increasing worldwide over the last 4 decades with opium being present in 70% of drug use deaths. This growing problem is often referred to as the Opioid crisis or epidemic. 

How The Taliban Became Involved With The Opium Industry

Although poppy has grown in Afghanistan for centuries, the country did not significantly produce and trade the substance until the late 1970s. In 1979, the government lost control of the rural land along the Pakistani border as they warred with the Soviet Union. Guerilla fighters began to use opium as a way to fund large scale arms purchases. Between 1972 and 1980, surrounding countries, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, banned the production and sale of opium which opened the market for Afghanistan. 

In 1996, after the Soviet Union had withdrawn, the Taliban, a religious-political group often associated with terrorism, seized control of Afghanistan. Initially, the group encouraged opium growth as its production required 9 times the amount of laborers than wheat (one of the country’s main crops) did. Due to human rights violations, terrorism support, and increasing opium production, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was isolated by most other world governments. In an effort to gain international acceptance, the Taliban banned the production of opium in the year 2000. This ban received much backlash from civilians and negatively affected the country’s economy by causing a severe loss of income for 15% of the population. It is likely that this helped weaken the Taliban, making them vulnerable to US invasion 1 year later. 

Since their collapse in 2001, the Taliban has spent the last 2 decades rebuilding and gradually gaining more control over the rural areas where poppy is grown and opium is produced. They profited off of the booming industry by imposing taxes and tariffs on farmers, labs, and traders. The head of the Kabul office of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, Cesar Gudes, was quoted saying that the group has been relying on opium trade as their main source of income. 

The Current State Of Opioid Production In Afghanistan 

During the war in Afghanistan, the US focused on limiting the production of opium to stop the Taliban from profiting, amongst other reasons. Attempts, such as poppy eradication, air strikes to suspected Heroin labs, and alternative crop programs, cost the US over $8 billion. These efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. Farmers and laborers, who depend on the production of opium, grew angry with the US involvement in Kabul and began to support the Taliban. 

With the Taliban recently gaining control over Kabul and US involvement retreating, Afghanistan is experiencing a state of economic and humanitarian crisis. The longest war in America’s history has left the country with years of widespread destruction. Millions of civilians have been uprooted from their homes while foreign aid has been cut and local spending is decreasing. These factors are likely to cause many impoverished Afghans to be more dependent on the production of opium. In 2019, opium harvesting supplied 120,000 jobs for the country. 

Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, addressed the country’s opium industry at a press conference last week. He vowed that Afghanistan will not be a country of opium cultivation and that they will bring opium cultivation to zero again, in reference to the 2000 ban. To stop Heroin production and drug smuggling, Mujahid says the country will need help. 

“From now on, Afghanistan will be a narcotics-free country but it needs international assistance. The international community should help us so that we can have alternative crops. We can provide alternative crops. Then, of course, very soon, we can bring it to an end,” Mujahid said. 

Experts believe that this vow is unlikely to come to fruition as opium trade has become too integral to the Taliban and Afghanistan’s economy. The country is on track to become a “narco-state” because the poppy plant is much more lucrative than any of their other cash crops. Cultivation of opium in Afghanistan has seen a 37% increase in the past year alone. By banning Afghanistan’s opium production, the Taliban risks alienating the country’s rural areas and the farmers who are financially dependent on the substance. This kind of economic impact can lead to a possible rebellion against them. At the same time, the group is hoping to avoid the isolation they experienced in 1996 when they first gained control. 

“We don’t want to repeat any conflict anymore again. We want to do away with factors for conflict. Therefore, the Islamic Emirate does not have any kind of hostility or animosity with anybody; animosities have come to an end and we would like to live peacefully. We don’t want any internal enemies and any external enemies,” Mujahid said of the group’s intentions. 

While the Taliban is claiming that they want to stop opium production that was involved in 50,000 US overdose deaths in 2019, balancing possible economic effects and resistance with their need for international support will be difficult. This is particularly true as the group has been and continues to benefit from the trade of the extremely dangerous and illicit substance. 

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The past year has seen an increase in the number of U.S. citizens arrested while trafficking drugs through the Southern border. Both Americans and Mexicans smuggle across the border, but because of the U.S. pandemic travel sanctions, it’s easier for Americans to travel freely. Americans also draw less scrutiny from border patrol, which makes them an obvious choice for cartels trying to move drugs into the U.S.

In the years before the pandemic, twice as many Americans were arrested smuggling than Mexicans. Between October of 2020 and March of 2021, that number jumped to 7 times as many Americans arrested. Alongside the increase in American arrests, there has been an increase in smugglers trafficking drugs in their body across the border. In 2021 alone, 505 Americans were found with drugs hidden in them.

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While these 505 American arrests represent a fraction of drug traffic, it completely dwarfs the 35 foreign citizens who were found body smuggling. This statistical relationship follows the same pattern as the overall arrest rate. In years previous, the U.S. and foreign citizen in-body smuggling rates were similar, but after the pandemic and travel sanctions, American smuggling leapt to a higher rate.

Alongside American citizens, commercial vehicles have been allowed to travel unhindered during the pandemic. Large trucks carrying commercial cargo are ideal trafficking vehicles. Drugs have been found in gas tanks, hidden in tires, and in the products that are being shipped.

During the October 2020-March 2021 timeframe, over 90,000 pounds of drugs have been seized at southern ports of entry. The U.S. citizens arrested for smuggling them are often selected as one-time traffickers paid based on the value of the drugs they’re hauling. Cases from Texas found that people were offered $10,000 and more to make it back into the U.S. and drop the drugs off at secret locations.

Border patrol agents acknowledge that cartels will find whatever way possible to circumvent preventative measures. Smuggling with U.S. citizens, hiding drugs in commercial vehicles, even digging tunnels under border walls if necessary. The promise of normalcy provided by vaccines has border patrol worried for the increased volume of drugs that will inevitably come across the border.

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On April 1st, former Olympic kayaker Nathan Baggaley and his brother were found guilty of plotting to smuggle $150 million of Cocaine into Australia. After a 2-week trial, a Brisbane jury convicted both Nathan and Dru Baggaley to life in prison. Both brothers pleaded not guilty to attempting to import 650 kilograms of Cocaine.

According to the prosecution, Nathan Baggaley purchased the boat used in the plot. He then oversaw the installation of navigation technology on the water vehicle. Dru Baggaley and a man named Anthony Draper used the vessel to collect and transport the Cocaine. Authorities believe Nathan was aware of his brother’s scheme. They think he had planned to meet both men at a boat ramp to store the drugs.

In June 2018, the younger Baggaley brother and Anthony Draper were spotted together. The men were caught on aerial surveillance collecting vast quantities of Cocaine. The duo retrieved the drugs from a foreign ship about 360 kilometers from the New South Wales coast. Once the men loaded the boat (2 hours later), the Royal Australian Navy patrol began its chase. Throughout the pursuit, Dru Baggaley was seen tossing bundles of the substance overboard. After the dramatic police chase involving the Navy and Air Force, both men were arrested.

During the high-speed aquatic pursuit, Dru attempted to contact his older brother. Yet, the 2 silver Olympian denies prior knowledge of his younger brother’s plot. Instead, he claims Dru gave him money to buy the boat, which he believed was for a “whale-watching business.” However, the prosecution linked Nathan Baggaley to the case. A fingerprint of the star was discovered on a tape covering the boat’s registration plate.

Like his brother, Dru also claimed he had no idea the parcels he was carrying contained Cocaine. During his testimony, he insisted he thought he was collecting tobacco. Dru also alleged that he was kidnapped by Anthony Draper, who forced him to collect the packages. Meanwhile, Draper testified that Dru recruited him to drive the boat and pick up what he thought was Marijuana. Earlier this year, Draper testified against the Baggaley brothers and pleaded guilty to his Cocaine charges. His cooperation led to a reduced sentence and last Thursday’s conviction of Nathan and Dru.

Cocaine Addiction

Cases like Nathan and Dru Baggaley have raised concern among the health community. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), drug trafficking is a $32 billion industry and is believed to be the most lucrative form of business for criminals across the globe. The high demand for drugs like Cocaine indicates a rise in abuse around the globe. It is important to note that repeated Cocaine use is harmful to the body and mind. Over time it can affect a person’s wellbeing and even lead to addiction.

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Tse Chi Lop A.K.A. Asian “El Chapo”

For over a decade, the AFP has tentatively tracked Tse Chi Lop for his suspected involvement with the Sam Gor syndicate. Nicknamed “Operation Kungur,” the AFP and about 20 other foreign agencies led the international investigation. The multinational pursuit followed the drug conglomerate’s money trails. They eventually arrested 27 suspects and cut off a few global distribution networks. Based on the sheer size and billions generated by “the company,” people have dubbed Tse Chi Lop as the Asian “El Chapo.” Experts even believe the ex-convict to be among the leagues of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman and Pablo Escobar. Tse’s organization is, perhaps, the largest illicit narcotics trading ring in Asian history. But what is most concerning is the short amount of time it took him to build his empire.

The Rise of Sam Gor Syndicate

From 2015 to 2019, the syndicate rapidly expanded. It quadrupled the rate of crystal-methamphetamine trafficking in Asia. Tse’s Asia-Pacific drug trade supplied methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs globally. They also produced heroin, MDMA, and meth. The illicit operation became successful almost overnight. By partnering up with smaller groups of criminals, the conglomerate gained territory quickly. They traveled from nation to nation, creating deals with local gangs.

Before 2019, the accused drug kingpin, Tse Chi Lop, lived in the shadows. Police sources claim the wealthy man even traveled with a guard of Thai kickboxers. It wasn’t until Reuters published an investigative article that everything came to light. The piece revealed Tse’s identity. Only then were authorities able to close in on him. According to the report, Tse ran his operation from Hong Kong, Macao, and Southeast Asia. It also connected Tse’s syndicate to 13 drug trafficking cases.

Reuter’s Grand Reveal

Shortly after Reuter’s grand reveal, AFP issued a warrant for Tse Chi Lop’s arrest in 2019. Yet, after learning about the multinational investigation into him, he hid in Taiwan. Finally, last Friday, authorities caught the supposed “Asian El Chapo” in the Netherlands. The Dutch now detains Tse, and the Australian government has requested his extradition. Tse Chi Lop’s arrest is a win against the global war on drugs. But the was is not over. The demand for synthetic drugs remains strong. If efficient change is not made soon, it is only a matter of time before someone new steps up and replaces Tse.

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An investigation beginning in April 2020 resulted in the discovery of shipping containers turned into apparent torture chambers. Police in the Netherlands found 6 shipping containers that were converted into prison cells, lined with sound-proofing material and devices that could be used for torture. A statement from the National Prosecutor’s Office said, “In each of the cells, handcuffs were attached to the ceiling and floor, in order to be able to chain someone standing up with their arms raised. The rooms were finished with noise isolating panels and heat-insulating foil.” Some of the objects found during the raid included, “pruning shears, loppers, a branch saw, scalpels, pliers, extra handcuffs, fingercuffs, tape, balaclavas, and black cotton bags that can be pulled over the head.”

The unearthing of these containers was due to officers accessing an encrypted chat network, called EncroChat. EncroChat was a secure mobile phone instant messaging service that was used by 60,000 people around the world as a criminal marketplace. The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) stated that EncroChat was used to coordinate the distribution of illicit goods, money laundering, and to communicate on plans to assassinate rivals. Access to this chat network let officers track the group’s movements and helped them identify intended victims, who were warned and able to go into hiding.

On June 22, police raided the site with the shipping containers at Wouwse Plantage on the Dutch-Belgian border. In one of the containers, a dental chair was found with straps for the arms and feet. The statement from the National Prosecutor’s Office said, “The sea container with the dental chair contained bags with objects that were presumably intended to torture or at least put pressure on victims.” The containers also had cameras for remote monitoring. Six men, all from the Netherlands, were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and hostage taking. Two BMWs, 3 stolen delivery vans, 7 handguns, and a Chinese variant of the AK-47 were found. During a search of a home in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, 24 kilos (over 52 pounds) of MDMA was also found.

MDMA In The Netherlands

The 24 kilos of methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine (MDMA), also commonly called ecstasy, that were found in Rotterdam is a minuscule fraction of the synthetic drug that comes out of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is one of the world’s largest producers of ecstasy and amphetamines. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) reports that, “criminal groups from the Netherlands and Belgium are the main producers and traffickers in the field of synthetic drugs in Europe.” The production of MDMA is concentrated in Belgium and the Netherlands, and has become an increasing issue over the years. The Netherlands is not only a major illicit drug producer, it can be considered the main European logistical hub for cross-border drug trafficking. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stated that seized drugs were mainly produced in clandestine laboratories in the Netherlands and Belgium.

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MDMA is a stimulant and hallucinogen that produces euphoric effects and is often consumed in the nightlife scene. Although overdoes from MDMA are uncommon, there are a number of health risks associated with this drug. Regular use of MDMA can lead to depression, impulsivity, lack of appetite, concentration difficulties, sleep disturbances, and heart disease. Decreased cognitive function has occurred after a 2-year period of heavy use. When someone takes MDMA, it releases large amounts of serotonin in the brain, making them feel good. However, when the drug wears off, the brain will be depleted of serotonin and users may experience negative psychological effects days after using the drug. Addiction and abuse of drugs like MDMA fuel the dangerous illicit drug trade. Situations similar to the shipping containers in the Netherlands are often linked back to criminal groups that have stake in drug distribution.

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Following an 11-month investigation, Spanish porn star Nacho Vidal was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a man died at Vidal’s home from inhaling toad venom. An article from the BBC states that the man who died was a photographer named Jose Luis Abad. The 2 other people arrested were not named but are said to be a man and a woman aged 37 to 50. Those involved, along with Abad, were said to be taking part in a ceremonial ritual that involved using a pipe to inhale toad venom from the glands of bufo alvarius, also known as the Colorado River toad or the Sonoran Desert toad. The toad is found in the southwestern United States as well as in northern Mexico.

A statement from local authorities in Enguera, Valencia said, “Officers began the investigation after the death of a person during a mystical ritual involving the inhalation of vapours from the venom of the bufo alvarius toad.” Vidal was arrested for manslaughter and violating public health laws. Vidal’s lawyer, Daniel Salvador, stated that his client considers himself to be innocent and was “very upset by the death of this person.” Salvador also stated that Abad had previously tried inhaling the venom before and wanted to try it again, “With all due respect to the dead man and his family, Nacho maintains that the consumption [of the venom] was completely voluntary,” Salvador said to La Vanguardia newspaper.

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Nacho Vidal

Porn star Nacho Vidal, 46, has spoken about his toad venom use in a YouTube video uploaded 4 years ago, according to the Spanish newspaper El País. In the video, Vidal reportedly stated that he had a “humble experience” with the toad and it helped him with his addictions and attachments. Vidal’s pornography career spanned 26 years and he has appeared in at least 10,000 scenes. He has also directed adult films and is known for selling aromatized candles that are modeled to be a replica of Vidal’s genitalia. They are available on his website for about 28 U.S. dollars. Although Vidal has spoken about his use of toad venom in the past, his lawyer denied that he partook in regular rituals. The toads that are used have glands that excrete toxins containing 5-MeO-DMT, which gives the user a psychedelic trip.

Getting High On Toad Venom?

For years there have been reports about people licking toads to get high, but most users of the Colorado River toad are likely smoking the toxins. The liquid that is secreted from the toad’s back is milked out and then dried into a paste, where it then can be smoked with a pipe. Once 5-MeO-DMT is inhaled, it will produce a hallucinogenic experience, with auditory and visual hallucinations. Some users say it is indescribable and mystical, “a feeling of pure awareness, of freedom from self-limitations, and of a bond with something greater.” The experience lasts about 20 minutes on average but can be shorter or up to 90 minutes. The user will be physically incapacitated during this time. Some studies have found that the use of this drug has provided improvements in anxiety and depression, but research is still underway.

In 2010, 5-MeO-DMT was named a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States and is illegal to produce or possess. In some parts of the United States, substances containing dimethyltryptamine (DMT) have been decriminalized, like the brew ayahuasca. There are ayahuasca retreats around the world where people pay to attend under the supervision of a facilitator and ingest the drink, experiencing a psychedelic trip. While generally considered safe, there have been reports of 5-MeO-DMT causing unconsciousness and respiratory depression. When combined with certain antidepressants, serious side effects like seizures, hypertensive symptoms, kidney damage, and death may occur. It is unknown whether Jose Luis Abad had any underlying conditions when he inhaled the venom at Nacho Vidal’s home. Investigation is still underway, but investigators stated that they discovered rituals involving toad venom were being performed promising medicinal benefits.

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