File:Flower from which "Burundanga" (scopolamine) is extracted (4625671645).jpg

Scopolamine, also known as levo-duboisine, and hyoscine, is a tropane alkaloid drug with muscarinic antagonist effects.

Scopolamine poisoning is sometimes reported as a way used by murderers or robbers, although largely exaggerated in many unfounded rumors.

Scopolomine in the form of burundanga was reported to be in "epidemic use" in Bogota Colombia in 1995. The drug was given to unwitting victims who were not only robbed, but were put to work as "mules" carrying smuggled cocaine across the border, only to wake up with very little memory of the event. It is a form of "chemical hypnosis", and the victim can talk, drive a car and navigate while still under its influence.

There are unfounded circulating rumors that a transcutaneous delivery mechanism using business cards, pamphlets or flyers laced with the drug, could be effective. Indeed, the quantity of toxin diffusing through the skin barrier after one short contact of the fingers with an object is much too small to be readily absorbed in the body and to have any significant effect. The use of burundanga (aka Scopolamine) impregnated visit cards to attack and to rob isolated people is often propagated by chain emails and is presently reported as hoax or urban legend by many specialised web sites. Meanwhile, spiked alcoholic drinks (direct ingestion) could have been occasionally used.