Devil‍‍`s Breath: The drug that’s raising concerns in Dhaka – Fact or Fiction?

Interestingly, several videos have surfaced on social media, showing some new incidents happening in public.

In these clips, a person hands over a piece of paper to another, then blows something in their face.

The victim soon falls into a trance and unknowingly gives away their belongings.

This unsettling crime is allegedly carried out using "Devil‍‍`s Breath," a drug claimed to be the most dangerous in the world.

So, what exactly is this "Devil’s Breath"?

What is Devil’s Breath?

Devil’s Breath, also known as scopolamine or hyoscine, is a drug derived from the borrachero shrub, which is commonly found in Colombia, South America. 

The drug is so powerful that it can render a person unconscious for up to 24 hours. 

Its use is reportedly widespread in Colombia, with unofficial figures estimating up to 50,000 cases per year. 

While it can be fatal in large doses, especially if ingested through food or drink, the method that’s said to be used in these criminal incidents involves blowing the powder into the victim’s face or having it absorbed through a piece of soaked paper.

Interestingly, even though the drug can cause respiratory failure and even death in certain cases, these dangerous effects mostly occur through oral ingestion, not when it’s blown or absorbed through the skin.

Devil’s Breath Reaches Bangladesh

In September 2023, the Detective Branch of Bangladesh’s police seized Devil‍‍`s Breath for the first time in the country. 

Two individuals from Narayanganj were arrested for allegedly selling the drug on an online platform. 

The police seized 10 grams of scopolamine, 1.2 liters of potassium cyanide, 2.5 liters of chloroform, six mobile phones, a laptop, and a register book. 

The arrests followed an investigation into a murder case that involved the discovery of the body of a Northern University teacher in the Purbachal area of Narayanganj.

Golam Mostofa, the then superintendent of police in Narayanganj, was caught off guard by the discovery. 

“We’ve seen different drugs like crystal meth at different times, but this is a new name; I myself heard it for the first time and learned about it after some studying. This drug is so powerful that, whoever takes it, they lose their normal consciousness and control over themselves for a few hours,” he said to the media.

The Growing Fear in Dhaka

After his close encounter, Afzal couldn’t shake off his fear. He did some research into Devil’s Breath, but also found that many of the stories surrounding it might not be as grounded in reality as they first appeared. 

Despite the widespread stories, experts have questioned the actual power of the drug.

Val Curran, a professor of pharmacology at UCL’s Clinical Pharmacology Unit, told The Guardian back in 2015, 

“You get these scare stories and they have no toxicology, so nobody knows what it is. The idea that it is scopolamine is a bit far-fetched because it could be anything.”

Dr. Les King, a chemist and former forensic scientist, also voiced doubts. He said that the idea someone could become “zombified” after powder is blown into their face “seems pretty unlikely from the start.”

Reality on the Ground in Dhaka

Despite the fear swirling on social media, police in Dhaka say there have been no actual reports of crimes involving Devil‍‍`s Breath. 

Mohammad Mobarak Hossain, officer-in-charge of Tejgaon Police Station, told that they hadn’t received any complaints about the drug. 

In fact, police stations in Mohammadpur, Hatirjheel, and Tejgaon also confirmed that no such complaints had been filed.

Still, the fear persists. 

In 2021, people in Hong Kong experienced a similar sensation, where a dust-like substance was blown into their faces, and they later realized that their bank accounts had been drained. But in Dhaka, no solid evidence has surfaced to support these chilling claims.