A cult leader who calls himself “Total Transcendence” has been arrested by Spanish police after he allegedly infused his followers with a mind-deadening mercury-laced homemade elixir.
José Manuel Cánovas, 50, was arrested on Wednesday following a raid on his sprawling 24-acre estate – complete with a secret laboratory – in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia, local media reported.
Cánovas, who heads the Mahasandhi Foundation, is accused of concocting the drug, labeled “purified mercury”, in an attempt to try and control the minds of his followers, police said.
“Using different coercive manipulation techniques, including the administration of psychoactive substances dangerous to health, he sought to manipulate the will of his followers in order to gain power over them and for financial gain,” the Spanish National Police said in a statement.
Cánovas, who claimed the elixir he was concocting had an invigorating effect, is accused of distributing the concoction to members, as well as peddling it online and in herbal shops, authorities said.
José Manuel Cánovas, 50, was arrested on Wednesday following a raid on his 24-acre property in Spain. Credit: Pen News
Some of his followers have begun showing symptoms of mercury poisoning, according to police, which can include muscle weakness, memory problems and problems speaking, hearing or seeing.
During a raid on the Cánovas farm, police said they found 400 pounds of the highly toxic metal element.
There were also traces of residual mercury in the septic tank on the property, police said.
In addition to the secret laboratory found, the grounds also have several cave dwellings, warehouses, fortresses and temples.
During a raid on the Cánovas farm, police say they found 400 pounds of the highly toxic metallic element. Credit: Pen News The estate is complete with secret laboratories, several cave dwellings, warehouses, fortresses and temples. Credit: Pen News
When he was taken into custody, police said Cánovas had taken a vow of silence and would only communicate with law enforcement by writing on a whiteboard.
The Cánovas have been running a so-called Buddhist sect out of the area for 15 years.
A number of his followers allegedly live in a cave across the sprawling property, police said.
It’s unclear how many members he recruited, but police said many of the women cut ties with their families to join.
Cánovas now faces multiple charges including crimes against public health, moral integrity and unlawful association.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
