A Cuban was arrested by the police in Guanabacoa, Havana, after they found more than thirty packets containing the "chemical" hidden in a matryoshka, the traditional wooden Russian doll, according to sources linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
Facebook accounts managed by that regime entity reported in recent hours the capture of an alleged drug trafficker, identified as Dayan, in Martí and Santa Ana, Villa #1, in the eastern municipality of the Cuban capital.
The arrested individual was carrying 33 paper wrappers with the "chemical", inside a matryoshka that he had in a fanny pack.
"One can no longer tell what these individuals will concoct to transport that phenomenon that is taking the lives of our friends and family," stated one of the posts, while another lamented "how something so harmful is hidden in such innocent things," referring to the use of a handmade toy intended to avoid drawing the attention of the authorities.
The posts urge citizens to report drug trafficking, a scourge that has taken over neighborhoods and streets in Cuba in recent years, alarming the population, which watches with concern the growing increase in consumption, addiction, and the effects that narcotics - especially the so-called “chemical” - are having on young people.
This week, an impressive video of a man under the influence of “the chemical” has been circulating on social media. Several people claimed that the footage was recorded in the Bahía neighborhood of the Habana del Este municipality, and identified the drugged man.
Unfortunately, it is not the only one. Numerous videos have emerged in the past year, many of them shocking, showing young people experiencing a wide range of physical reactions after consuming the dangerous synthetic drug.
Recently, a video has circulated on social media showing the moment a group of people nearly lynched a young man in the La Palma neighborhood of the Arroyo Naranjo municipality in Havana. He attacked the manager of a bodega with a knife in an attempted robbery to get money for drugs.
A police operation carried out in the early hours of June 8 resulted in the arrest of a suspected drug dealer in the Dragones neighborhood, in the Centro Habana municipality.
Another police raid at the beginning of the month resulted in several arrests and the seizure of drugs and money, in the Luyanó Moderno neighborhood, in the San Miguel del Padrón municipality.
Since last year, the Cuban regime has intensified anti-drug operations in the country, with greater emphasis on the capital, where it is possible to buy drugs in any neighborhood and block of the city.
Authorities have had to acknowledge the uncontrolled rise of drug trafficking and consumption, mainly of the so-called “chemical,” among young people and even minors in schools.
In addition to intensifying police operations, the regime has resorted to exemplary judicial processes and increased penalties for drug-related offenses, with sentences that can reach up to 30 years in prison, life imprisonment, or death.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Trafficking in Cuba
What substance was found in a Russian matryoshka doll in Havana?
33 packages of the drug known as "químico" were found inside a matryoshka doll in the possession of a man detained in Guanabacoa, Havana. This substance is a high-risk synthetic drug that concerns authorities due to its increasing use among young people in Cuba.
What is the impact of the "químico" on Cuban society?
The "chemical" has caused an increase in the consumption of synthetic drugs in Cuba, leading to severe health effects in young people, such as seizures, hallucinations, and neurological damage. Its low cost and high addictive potential have allowed it to spread rapidly, raising alarm in communities and among authorities.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the increase in drug trafficking?
The Cuban government has intensified drug crackdown operations, making multiple arrests and seizures in various municipalities. Additionally, it has increased penalties for drug-related offenses and created the National Drug Observatory to monitor the phenomenon. However, the effectiveness of these measures is questioned due to their predominantly repressive approach.
Why is the use of the synthetic drug "químico" so concerning in Cuba?
The "chemical" is a synthetic drug that mimics marijuana, but with effects that are much more potent and dangerous. Its composition includes toxic substances such as formaldehyde and anesthetics, causing severe reactions in consumers, ranging from hallucinations to organ failures. Its proliferation in vulnerable neighborhoods and its impact on young people have led to a public health crisis in Cuba.
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