Drug excesses at naturopathic seminar organizers must soon in court

Mass intoxication at naturopathic seminar: Trial against organizer begins
About two years ago, around 30 people in Handeloh, Lower Saxony, had to undergo medical treatment following mass poisoning. The participants of a naturopathic seminar had apparently consumed illegal drugs at that time. The trial against the organizer of the conference will start soon.

Mass intoxication at the seminar of non-medical practitioners
About two years after a mass frenzy at a seminar of non-medical practitioners in the Lower Saxon town of Handeloh (Harburg district), one of the organizers has to answer to the court. As reported by the district court of Stade, the main hearing against a 52-year-old man "for the possession and transfer of narcotic drugs for direct consumption" begins on 2 November..

About two years ago, nearly 30 participants of a naturopathic seminar had to be treated medically after taking drugs. The trial against one of the organizers will start soon. (Image: Gina Sanders / fotolia.com)

27 participants had to go to the hospital
According to a court ruling, the man is accused of "distributing various narcotic drugs to seminar participants as organizers of a seminar in Handeloh in order to achieve psycholysis (special form of awareness enhancement) by taking them."

At that time - beginning of September 2015 - according to media reports over 150 rescue workers were in the care, who had to take care of around the convention center herumtorkelnden Heilpraktiker and homoeopaths.

The total of 27 seminar participants suffered after taking the scene drug "2C-E" under symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures, dyspnea and tachycardia. The intoxicant, which has a similar effect to LSD, is also known as "Aquarust".

When the emergency services arrived, the patients were barely responsive. All had to be taken to surrounding hospitals and treated medically at the intensive care units there.

"Narcotic in no small amount"
According to the court, "the defendant brought no small amount of narcotic drugs into the conference venue and made them available to the participants of the seminar without being in possession of a written permit for the acquisition".

As part of the trial for violation of the Narcotics Act, a total of three days were scheduled until 6 December.

The criminal case against the accused 48-year-old wife of the accused was set against payment of a fine. (Ad)