A cult leader who called himself “Total Transcendence” has been arrested by Spanish police after he allegedly doped his followers with homemade mercury-numbed elixirs.
José Manuel Cánovas, 50, was captured on Wednesday following a raid on his sprawling 24-acre compound (with clandestine laboratories) in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia, local media reported.
Canovas, who runs the Mahasandhi Foundation, is accused of making the drug, which he labeled “purified mercury,” in an attempt to control the minds of his followers, police said.
“Using different coercive manipulation techniques, including the administration of psychoactive substances dangerous to health, he attempted to manipulate the will of his followers to gain power over them and obtain economic benefits,” Spain’s National Police said in a statement.
Cánovas, who claimed the elixir he was making had revitalizing effects, is accused of distributing the concoction to members as well as selling it online and in herbal stores, authorities said.
José Manuel Cánovas, 50, was arrested Wednesday following a raid on his sprawling 24-acre compound in Spain. Credit: Pen News
According to police, some of his followers had begun to show symptoms of mercury poisoning, which can include muscle weakness, memory problems and problems speaking, hearing or seeing.
During the raid on Cánovas’ property, cops said they discovered 400 pounds of the highly poisonous metallic element.
There were also traces of mercury residue in septic tanks on the property, police said.
In addition to the clandestine laboratories found, its complex also had multiple troglodyte homes, warehouses, bunkers and temples.
During the raid on Cánovas’ property, cops said they discovered 400 pounds of the highly poisonous metallic element. Credit: Pen News His property was complete with clandestine laboratories, multiple cave dwellings, warehouses, bunkers and temples. Credit: Pen News
When he was detained, police said Cánovas had taken a vow of silence and would only communicate with authorities by writing on a whiteboard.
Cánovas has been running his so-called Buddhist sect outside the compound for 15 years.
Several of his followers allegedly lived in caves throughout the sprawling property, police said.
It was not immediately clear how many members she had gathered, but police said many of the women had cut ties with their families in order to join.
Cánovas now faces a series of charges that include crimes against public health, moral integrity and illicit association.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn