Tenerife Civil Guard Seizes 13,800 Doses of "Popper" Drug, Seven Investigated
Civil Guards in Tenerife have seized 13,800 doses of the dangerous drug "popper," believed to have been sent from France and Portugal disguised as household products, and are investigating seven recipients for drug trafficking.
Civil Guards in Tenerife have seized 13,800 doses of a drug called "popper" and are investigating seven people who received multiple packages of it over several months.
This drug, which is considered dangerous, was reportedly offered at gatherings to enhance sexual experiences.
The operation was carried out by officers from the Fiscal and Borders Section at the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, working with officials from the Tax Agency's Customs Surveillance.
Investigators believe the illegal substance was sent to the island from France and Portugal through postal packages.
The first shipment, consisting of 24 vials containing a total of 720 milliliters of the drug, arrived in July from Maia, Portugal, by ship.
Following this, six more shipments arrived from France. These were disguised with false contents, such as leather cleaner or air freshener, in an attempt to hide the actual drug and avoid detection.
The most recent shipment, sent at the beginning of November, contained 216 vials, amounting to over 4,800 milliliters of the drug.
Based on the recommended dosage, the maximum adult dose is 0.6 milliliters. Therefore, the total amount of popper seized, which is 8,332 milliliters, is equivalent to 13,886 doses across the seven intercepted shipments.
As a result, the seven individuals who received these postal packages are being investigated for drug trafficking.
The individuals themselves stated that the drug is used at gatherings for sexual practices. All seven, along with the seized substance, were brought before the San Cristóbal de La Laguna Court of Instruction.
Popper is classified as a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) and is considered a drug by health authorities. It is made from volatile alkyl nitrites.
It contains substances that widen blood vessels quickly, relaxing muscle fibers. Misusing it can lead to serious side effects, including nerve damage, a condition called methemoglobinemia, and breathing difficulties, among other problems.
Outside of medical use, it is illegally used as a recreational drug for its stimulant, psychological, and sexual effects.
Producing and selling this product requires prior authorization from the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices. None of the individuals being investigated had this authorization.
It is illegal to send products through the mail that are not permitted for general circulation due to safety, public health, or other concerns, including narcotics and psychotropic substances, without the necessary permissions.