Toxic 'Papelitos' Linked to Prison Deaths in Botafuegos

A lethal trend involving toxic paper strips has resulted in the deaths of four inmates within the prison system during 2025. These substances, referred to as 'papelitos,' are impregnated with unknown chemicals and have been found in prisons in Botafuegos and Puerto III.

The crisis came to a head following a fatal incident on September 11 at the Botafuegos prison, where a 34-year-old inmate died. Prison unions have issued urgent warnings regarding the spread of this contraband and the severe health risks associated with it. Despite authorities claiming to analyze prohibited substances, the prevalence of these dangerous materials continues to pose a significant threat to inmate safety.

The tragedy unfolded during the morning recount on September 11 in Module 4 of the Botafuegos prison in Algeciras. Just prior to the scheduled count, an inmate alerted prison staff that his cellmate was unresponsive.

Despite immediate medical attention, the 34-year-old inmate was pronounced dead in his bed. Following the incident, the surviving inmate reported that the two had smoked strips of what were believed to be fentanyl patches, wrapped in rolling tobacco, the night before.

This death is part of a disturbing pattern identified by prison unions. The Acaip union has specifically attributed this fatality, along with three others recorded earlier in the year, to the consumption of these dangerous 'papelitos.' The strips are typically impregnated with potent, often unknown, toxic substances that can be fatal when smoked.

The danger is not confined to a single facility. According to alerts issued by the CSIF union, the trend has migrated to the nearby Puerto III prison. The spread of these contraband items suggests a systemic issue that affects multiple institutions within the region.

The unions have characterized the use of these materials as a 'peligrosa moda' (dangerous fashion) that poses a severe threat to the general population of inmates. The specific nature of the toxins impregnating the paper remains largely unknown, complicating medical responses and toxicity assessments.

Key concerns raised by prison staff include:

• The difficulty in detecting these impregnated papers during standard contraband checks.
• The unpredictable and potentially lethal effects of the unknown substances.
• The rapid spread of the trend between neighboring correctional facilities.

In response to the escalating crisis, Instituciones Penitenciarias (Prison Institutions) has issued a standard protocol statement. The department asserts that all prohibited substances discovered within the facilities are subjected to rigorous analysis.

Authorities maintain that they take 'las medidas correspondientes' (corresponding measures) based on the results of these analyses. However, the continued occurrence of fatalities suggests that current containment strategies may be struggling to keep pace with the introduction of new synthetic substances.

The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by correctional facilities in managing inmate health and safety amidst a constantly evolving landscape of contraband drugs. As unions continue to document these incidents, pressure is mounting for more effective intervention strategies.