National Police agents arrested five people in Tenerife (4) and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (1) for their alleged participation in crimes of illicit association, animal abuse, fraud, injury, crimes against public health and falsification of documents.
Those arrested are said to have led a sect which, in order to enrich itself illegally and under the protection of the practices of Santeria (African-American cult), subjected its followers (people with different vulnerabilities) to absolute control, whom they manipulated by resorting to deception and instilling in them fears, sometimes of a spiritual nature.
They held ceremonies with animal sacrifices and drug use.
The inmates led a group which, under the guise of spirituality, performed esoteric rituals in exchange for a large financial profit for the presumed gain of personal advantages or to avoid spiritual ills or even illnesses.
During the rituals developed, animals were sacrificed and substances posing a health risk were consumed, such as jimsonweed, popper or cocaine.
The psychological control exercised by the leader was of such intensity that several followers had to undergo psychiatric treatment after leaving the destructive group.
Temporary prison for the leader of the destructive sect
The detainees were brought to court last Thursday, declaring pre-trial detention for the leader of the destructive sect and precautionary measures for the rest of those arrested.
The specialists responsible for these investigations keep the email address sectasdestructivas@policia.es activated so that any citizen can communicate the related facts, guaranteeing, at all times, anonymity and confidentiality.
In a statement, the agents warned the population of the risk posed by this type of groups given that, within the framework of apparently spiritual activities and using deception and coercion of their followers; They commit illegal acts in exchange for significant economic benefits.
About The Author
