Spain’s Guardia Civil police said on Monday that they had dismantled a network accused of running a so-called ‘spiritual retreat’ where hallucinogenic drugs were offered to clients from around the world.
Investigators allege the group operated out of a villa in Pedreguer, a town in the Alicante province (Valencia region), charging more than €1,000 for multi-day stays that involved taking ayahuasca, San Pedro cactus, and a frog venom known as Kambo.
‘The retreats were held in groups of up to 20 participants, who were attended to by six employees of the organisation during the astral journeys,’ the Guardia Civil said in a statement.
An image released by the force (main image) showed a spacious room lined with mattresses, water bottles and tissue boxes scattered nearby, and a guitar propped against one wall.
According to police, the organisation hosted several retreats each week without the facilities to deal with intoxications. They are said to have generated hundreds of thousands of euros in undeclared revenue last year.
The gatherings were marketed online, promising ‘mystical’ experiences and health benefits, attracting visitors ‘from around the world, the majority from Europe’, police said.
Two men and one woman, believed to be the group’s leaders, were arrested. Another five individuals are under investigation on suspicion of acting as ‘spiritual guides’ during the sessions.
All face charges including drug trafficking, money laundering and criminal association.
During the operation, officers confiscated 11 litres of ayahuasca, 117 San Pedro cactus plants, and several bottles containing Kambo — a viscous secretion taken from the skin of the Amazonian giant monkey tree frog.
Police warned that the substances ‘can have unpredictable, dangerous effects’.
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#OperacionesGC | Hay retiros que pueden salir muy caros:
Desmantelada una organización que anunciaban por internet un retiro espiritual con consumo de drogas en Pedreguer (Alicante)
Cobraban de media 1.000€ por un retiro espiritual de 3 o 5 días donde se gestionaba el consumo de… pic.twitter.com/C5sbSVexTH— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) August 11, 2025
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