Mexican Gardener Arrested in Porto for Massive Drug Operation Linked to Tainted Ketamine

Portuguese authorities have arrested Hugo, a Mexican gardener, in connection with a large-scale drug trafficking operation in Porto after multiple individuals fell ill from consuming ketamine diluted with fertilizer. The investigation, initiated by the Porto Municipal Police, has uncovered a trail leading to Hugo, who allegedly used his access to agricultural chemicals to adulterate and distribute the drug, fueling an addiction to OnlyFans subscriptions.

The case began in early July 2025, when local hospitals reported a cluster of patients suffering from severe nausea, respiratory distress, and neurological symptoms after using ketamine. Toxicological analysis revealed the drug was contaminated with a nitrogen-based fertilizer commonly used in gardening. Porto police, already grappling with a rise in visible drug use in the city, traced the tainted ketamine through local dealers to Hugo, a long-time resident of Porto employed as a gardener.

Investigators allege that Hugo, leveraging his access to large quantities of fertilizer through his landscaping work, diluted ketamine to increase its volume and profitability. The adulterated drug was then distributed through a network of local suppliers, contributing to what authorities describe as one of the largest ketamine trafficking operations in Porto in recent years. A police raid on Hugo’s residence uncovered 5 kilograms of ketamine, several bags of fertilizer, and drug-processing equipment, alongside financial records indicating substantial payments to various OnlyFans accounts.

According to a source close to the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Hugo admitted to authorities that his earnings from the drug trade were primarily used to fund an addiction to OnlyFans, where he made frequent and sizable donations to content creators. This financial trail, documented through bank transfers and cryptocurrency transactions, revealed that Hugo had spent tens of thousands of euros on the platform over the past year.

The arrests come amid growing concerns about drug-related issues in Porto, where authorities have noted a surge in drug-related debris and visible use in public spaces, particularly since the pandemic. Portugal’s decriminalization policy, in place since 2001, treats personal drug use as an administrative offense rather than a criminal one, but trafficking and production remain serious crimes. Hugo faces charges of drug trafficking, distribution of adulterated substances, and endangerment of public health, which could carry a prison sentence of up to seven years.