Lorraine Williamson
Five people have been arrested in the Canary Islands after Spain’s National Police said an alleged “destructive cult” used paid rituals and fear-based manipulation to control followers. The case centres on Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with one additional arrest in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Police said the group targeted people in vulnerable situations. Investigators allege the suspects promised protection, personal gains, or relief from “spiritual” harm and illness, for large sums of money.
What police say the group did
According to the Policia Nacional, four arrests were made on Tenerife and one on Gran Canaria. The suspects are accused of offences including illegal association, animal cruelty, fraud, assault, offences against public health, and document falsification.
Police allege the group operated behind a veneer of spirituality. They say the leader exerted “absolute” psychological control, using deception and the cultivation of fear — sometimes framed as spiritual threats — to keep followers compliant.
Rituals, animal sacrifice and drugs: the claims under investigation
Investigators allege ceremonies featured figures and objects presented as deities. Police claim animals were sacrificed during rituals, and that participants consumed substances that posed health risks — including estramonio (jimsonweed/datura), poppers and cocaine.
Police also said the alleged coercion had lasting consequences. They claim several former followers needed psychiatric treatment after leaving the group.
One suspect remanded in custody
Police said the detainees were brought before a judge “last Thursday”. A court ordered pre-trial detention for the alleged leader, with precautionary measures imposed on the others.
The investigation remains ongoing. As with all cases at this stage, the suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
A wider concern in Spain — and why language matters
Spain’s police and victim-support groups have warned for years that coercive groups rarely look like the stereotypes. They can resemble therapy circles, self-help “coaching”, or informal spiritual communities. In 2024, the National Police launched a dedicated operational plan focused on destructive cults and coercive manipulation, alongside an observatory to track the phenomenon.
One note of caution is important here. Santería is an Afro-Caribbean religion with many lawful practitioners. Police allege this group used santería-style rituals as cover for control and exploitation — not that the religion itself is criminal.
How to spot red flags — and where to report concerns
Police stress that coercive groups often mix emotional pressure with financial demands. Warning signs can include isolation from friends and family, escalating payments framed as “necessary”, threats of spiritual punishment, or pressure to take substances during rituals.
The National Police say anyone with information can contact specialists via sectasdestructivas@policia.es