British tourist Unais Gomes was stabbed to death during drug ritual in Peru

IT IS a ritual that is meant to promote spiritual healing and cleansing. However, this potent drug can be deadly.

‘Crazy here as well. I don’t like it’

IT IS a ritual that is meant to promote spiritual healing and cleansing. However drinking the potent ayahuasca tea can also be deadly.

The controversial potion claimed another life last week after a deadly brawl broke out between two tourists at an Australian-run retreat in Peru.

British tourist Unais Gomes was allegedly stabbed by his friend after taking the hallucinogenic drug during the Amazonian ritual at the Phoenix Ayahuasca jungle retreat.

According to reports, Gomes, a former London banker, sent worrying text messages to his girlfriend shortly before his death.

Gomes, who began his own start-up last year, ran away from the retreat, saying he had a “bad experience”.

The next day he sent more messages.

He texted “Crazy here as well” and “I don’t like it”, the Evening Standard reported.

“It’s just the place I went to didn’t feel right,” he added.

The next day he completely changed his mind telling his girlfriend Christelle Ory, 24, that he was going back saying, “Now they have called an amazing shaman to clean up that place”.

Exact details of what took place remain unclear however it is believed Gomes may have attacked by a fellow Canadian traveller after taking the potion.

The Phoenix Ayahuasca retreat, near the Peruvian jungle city of Iquitos. Picture: AAP Image/Facebook, Phoenix Ayahuasca

Local police chief Normando Marquez said witnesses described a fight breaking out between the two, during which a knife was pulled against the Canadian.

The same knife was allegedly used by the Canadian to kill Gomes, the chief said, but charges against the Canadian have since been dropped.

The Australian owners of the retreat, brother and sister Mark and Tracie Thornberry, who were in Australia at the time of the incident, posted a statement on Facebook yesterday.

Ms Thornberry, who is a drug and alcohol counsellor, said the entire retreat had been left in shock.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by what happened at our centre,” she wrote. “I’m unable to make a detailed statement until I’m advised that the police have fully completed their investigation.

“I have been in Australia for the past two weeks and my brother is recovering from pneumonia and was released early from hospital to return to the centre.

“As you can imagine I am reliant on information coming to me from thousands of miles away in a jungle setting. I have full faith in our staff to act appropriately even in difficult situations. “Unfortunately their physical intervention could not prevent this tragedy. I have accounts of the events by the people present and cannot see how it could have been prevented had either Mark or I been there.

“The fatal moments, when a knife was used, happened so quickly. This is such a rare and unusual event that we are all stunned. Our deepest condolences go to the families of all concerned.”

The hallucinogenic tea is administered in traditional ceremonies.

The British man’s death is not the first to be claimed by the potent ayahuasca.

Its use among tourists in Peru has surged, with dozens of jungle retreats now offering it under the supervision of a guide or shaman. Many travellers believe it will help ease depression and other mental health issues.

According to reports, Mr Gomes was on a 10-day, $1650 stay the Phoenix Ayahuasca retreat when the tragedy occurred.

Guests take part in meditation, “relaxing floral baths” and the ayahuasca ceremony.

Ayahuasca is a boiled blend of an Amazonian vine and dimethyltryptamine, containing plants traditionally used by indigenous tribes in medical and spiritual ceremonies. It is not normally associated with violence and is said to have healing properties to bring inner peace by purging toxins.

It can also have side effects, such as vomiting, and psychedelic experiences can last between six to 10 hours.

Kiwi Matthew Dawson-Clarke also died after taking part in a tobacco-purging ritual in September.

The 24-year-old fell violently ill after drinking the concoction then went into cardiac arrest, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Canadian Jennifer Logan also died after she suffered an adverse reaction to ayahuasca in January this year.

And last year 18-year-old Kyle Nolan died while on a 10-day retreat at Shimbre in Peru’s Amazon Basin.

The shaman eventually admitted that the American teenager had died after an ayahuasca session and that his body had been buried at the edge of the property.

There have also been reports of molestation, rape, and negligence by dodgy shamans.