Protection against knockout drops: Novelty from Mallorca for safe party nights!

Protection against knockout drops: Novelty from Mallorca for safe party nights!

Mallorca is always in the focus of the media, especially with regard to the safety of holidaymakers. In a worrying context, the entrepreneur Stephan Weygand from Palma, operator of the “Mallorca Fanshop”, has developed an innovative protective measure against knockout drops. The “drinking bag” is intended to help holidaymakers protect themselves from the dangers of these harmful substances.

The “drinking bag” is a clear plastic bag equipped with a straw and carrying strap. It can be easily closed and worn close to the body. Weygand came up with the idea after he himself fell victim to knockout drops two years ago and was unresponsive for three days. These drugs can be added unnoticed to drinks and lead to serious consequences such as muscle paralysis and memory loss. Often the perpetrators are intent on robbery while the victims are under the influence of the drug. The price of the “drinking bag” is five euros, and the proceeds go to children with cancer.

Legal measures and local bans

In view of the increasing number of such incidents, the authorities in Mallorca have taken various steps. In many places, including Ballermann, there are bans on drinking alcohol in public, with fines of between 500 and 1,500 euros. These measures are intended not only to increase the safety of holidaymakers, but also to regulate public behavior in tourist hotspots.

A shocking case of knockout drops

But despite preventative measures, alarming cases continue to occur. On June 3, 2023, a man was sentenced to twelve years in prison before the regional court in Palma. In February 2023 he put knockout drops in a woman's drink. In a bar on Carrer Blanquerna in Palma, the woman, who had already been out with friends for several hours, met the 39-year-old, who invited her for more drinks. He secretly put these dangerous drops in her glass and waited for them to take effect.

Shortly before midnight, the perpetrator urged the woman to accompany her to her home, where he raped her several times. She only woke up again at seven in the morning after the perpetrator had left the apartment. He later sent her a threatening message that revealed the extent of his ruthlessness. Despite his attempts to portray the act as consensual, the court believed the victim, supported by eyewitness accounts and laboratory analyzes that detected knockout drops in the woman's blood.

Consequences and social relevance

The court recognized the particular gravity of the perpetrator's guilt. The woman has since suffered from post-traumatic stress and has had considerable difficulty entering bars or other gathering places. The incident not only severely affected her social and sexual life, but also shows the murderous reality behind knockout drops. These cases highlight the need for education and prevention.

Creating protective measures like the “drinking bag” is a step in the right direction. It is hoped that these initiatives will help to increase the safety of holidaymakers in Mallorca and prevent similar incidents in the future.

For more information about the security measures in Mallorca you can read the coverage on Watson and Mallorca newspaper read up.