Man arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting woman while on Ayahuasca trip

According to police, 54-year-old Mario Restrepo of Fonthill, Ontario sexually assaulted a woman in the Hurontario Street and Lakeshore Road-area apartment in December of 2020. She did not suffer any further physical injuries.

Ayahuasca, a South American psychoactive brew used both socially and as ceremonial spiritual medicine among the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin, is illegal throughout Canada with the exception of the Santo Daime Church Céu do Montréal, who received religious exemption to use Ayahuasca as a sacrament in their rituals.

Restrepo was arrested and has been charged with one count of sexual assault. He is due to appear in court in November.

Police are urging those with possible information to call the Special Victims Unit at 905-453-2121, ext. 3460.