A South East London woman alleges she was targeted with a terrifying substance known as ‘Devil’s Breath’ while travelling on the London Underground – a drug notoriously used by criminal gangs in South America for kidnapping and theft.
Deborah Oscar, 30, was aboard the Elizabeth Line departing from Abbey Wood when another female passenger waved a newspaper in her face, causing her to feel “high” and “sleepy” – before sitting next to her in an empty carriage. Struggling to keep her eyes open, Deborah recalled a TikTok video about ‘Devil’s Breath’, or scopolamine, a substance blown onto victims to render them compliant and zombie-like before they are robbed or worse.
Thankfully, Deborah managed to stagger off the train to safety – but now she wants to warn other Londoners of the risks.
The mind-altering chemical, once trialled by the CIA as a truth serum, can be administered to victims through drinks, chewing gum, cigarettes, or paper and card. The US’s Overseas Security Advisory Council has issued warnings to travellers heading to South America about the risks of the drug, which has also been associated with fatalities in the UK, including that of Irish dancer Adrian Murphy, who died in 2019 after his murderers administered scopolamine.
Just last month, reports emerged suggesting that Colombian police fear London-based scientist Alessandro Coatti, 38, found dead whilst holidaying in Santa Marta in April, may have been a victim of Devil’s Breath too.
Deborah, a content creator from Abbey Wood, South East London, is convinced she was exposed to the drug, which at one point was implicated in an estimated 50,000 attacks annually in South America as well as street robberies in Paris.
Deborah said: “This train was fairly empty, and this woman was walking slowly wafting this newspaper staring at me. I assumed she was a confused tourist about to ask for directions. But she just maintained eye contact.”She added: “It felt eerie and very odd but she was quite well dressed, so I didn’t feel scared really, she just looked like a tourist. Then she came and sat down next to me and I felt like I needed a deep sleep, I suddenly felt very peaceful. Like the first few seconds when you have anaesthesia before a surgery.”
Deborah considered the possibility of low blood sugar or fainting, then her thoughts shifted recalling videos about the ‘Devil’s Breath’ drug. She added: “She walked away eventually but kept staring at me the whole time.”
In the incident that occurred around 11am on Tuesday, 17 June, Deborah described feeling intoxicated, her mind racing ahead of her physical reactions. Concerned for her safety, she stood up and moved to another carriage and noticed two men giving each other knowing looks.
She said: “I decided its better to be paranoid and safe than risk it. I got off at the next stop and these two men looked straight at each other – I knew they knew each other. The doors closed behind me and I got away – once I stepped into the fresh air outside, the feeling began to subside too.”
Deborah continued: “If I hadn’t seen those videos, I would probably have just sat there and I don’t know what would have happened. I had my Yves Saint Laurent bag on me, maybe they thought I was wealthy. But I was wearing a dress from Primark too.”
After posting about her ordeal online, Deborah says she’s been contacted by others who’ve shared strikingly similar tales within London. Deborah noted: “London would be the perfect place for it, there are so many people and an already very busy police force. But if people are aware this might be a new method, they can have it in their minds and be more prepared.”
The Met Police, when approached by SWNS, were unable to comment on whether this represents a more widespread problem throughout London.
A representative from TfL commented: “Everyone should feel safe and be safe when travelling in London and we’re very sorry that Ms Oscar experienced what must have been an extremely frightening incident for her. We take all reports of crime with utmost seriousness and are looking into this particular incident.”
They continued, urging the public: “We ask anyone who witnesses or experiences a crime to report it to British Transport Police on 61016.”
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