Archaeology, Crime, Law & Justice, Travel/Tourism

Israeli Tourists Detained for Wild Party at Sacsayhuaman Ruins

More than 60 foreign tourists were detained during a drug-fueled party at the Sacsayhuaman archaeological ruins outside Cusco, according to local and international media.

Police detained more than 60 tourists partying at the Sacsayhuaman ruins. Source: Andina
Police detained more than 60 tourists partying at the Sacsayhuaman ruins. Source: Andina

The partiers, who were mostly Israelis but also included some Argentines, were surprised early Sunday morning by officials from Cusco’s regional culture office who had gone to check out the ruckus after hearing loud, electronic music, Peruvian daily La Republica reported.

The officials called police, and found the tourists, many of whom were drunk and allegedly on drugs, in a small building located in a part of the Sacsayhuaman site called Mulluqocha. Some of the tourists were reportedly having sex in the building’s basement rooms, which were reportedly used for spiritual sessions and contained archaeological pieces.

Authorities say they found marijuana and cocaine at the so-called “Peyote Party.” They also found a large amount of alcohol and cans of spray paint. Several archaeological sites in and around Cusco have been defaced in recent weeks and months by individuals using spray paint.

The director of the Sacsayhuaman archaeological park, Oscar Montufar, said the owners of the building never received authorization to build it in Mulluqocha. He said that 21 fragments of Inca ceramics were found in the basement rooms of the building, which were possibly found during its construction.

“The Mulluqocha sector is very close to the main part of Sacsayhuaman,” said Montufar. “It is also close to an Inca pool that was a worshipping center.”

The Times of Israel reported that many of the tourists had been let go, although eight Israeli tourists remained in custody on charges of alleged drug use and  theft of archaeological artifacts.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*