Brit girl claims she was spiked on tube by ‘zombifying’ drug, ‘Devil’s Breath’

Deborah Oscar was on the Elizabeth Line leaving from Abbey Wood when she was wafted with a newspaper and began to feel “high” and “sleepy” before sitting next to her in an empty carriage

A woman claims she was targeted with a terrifying substance known as ‘Devil’s Breath’ while travelling on the London tube. The drug is notoriously used by criminal gangs in South America to kidnap and rob unsuspecting victims.

Deborah Oscar, 30, was travelling on the Elizabeth Line from Abbey Wood when a fellow passenger waved a newspaper in her face. This left her feeling unusually “high” and drowsy, despite being alone in an otherwise empty carriage.

Struggling to keep her eyes open, Deborah recalled a TikTok video about ‘Devil’s Breath’, also known as scopolamine. This potent drug is reportedly blown onto victims, rendering them compliant and zombie-like before they are robbed or worse.

Managing to stumble off the train, Deborah escaped unharmed.

The mind-altering substance was once trialled by the CIA as a potential truth serum. The US’s Overseas Security Advisory Council has issued warnings to travellers heading to South America about the risks of the drug, which can be administered through drinks, chewing gum, cigarettes, or even paper and card.

Scopolamine has been linked to fatalities in the UK, including the tragic case of Irish dancer Adrian Murphy, who died in 2019 after his murderers administered the drug.

Recently, it was reported that Colombian authorities suspect London-based scientist Alessandro Coatti, 38, found dead whilst holidaying in Santa Marta in April, may have fallen victim to Devil’s Breath.

Deborah, a content creator from Abbey Wood in southeast London, is convinced she was targeted with the drug, which is believed to have been used in an estimated 50,000 attacks annually in South America, with incidents also reported 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.

“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.

“I thought I had low blood sugar, maybe I was about to faint – that’s when I remembered videos I had seen about the ‘Devil’s Breath’ drug.

“She walked away eventually but kept staring at me the whole time.”

Deborah described feeling intoxicated, with her mind racing faster than her body during the incident, which occurred around 11am on Tuesday (17). Feeling uneasy, she decided to move to another carriage, where she noticed two men exchanging glances.

She said: “I decided it’s 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.

“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 recounting her ordeal online, she revealed that others have reached out to her with similar tales from London.

Deborah added: “London would be the perfect place for it, there are so many people and an already stretched police force.

“But if people are aware this might be a new method, they can have it in their minds and be more prepared.”

When approached, the Met Police were unable to comment on whether this is a broader problem across London.

A spokesperson for TfL stated: “Everyone should feel safe and be safe when travelling in London and we’re very sorry that Ms Oscar endured what must have been a terrifying incident.

“We take all crime reports seriously and are looking into this incident.

“We urge anyone who witnesses or falls victim to a crime to report it to British Transport Police on 61016.”