Museo del Enervante

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The Museo del Enervante is one of the most obscure of collections in Mexico City. Inside a Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) facility, it essentially operates as a display of things confiscated during Mexico’s long drug war. The role of the Mexican military in the fight against drug trafficking has resulted in a shocking collection of treasure, weapons, and artifacts.

Perhaps noteworthy, the name “Enervante” is a rather journalistic term for illegal or illicit drugs. The name could just as well be translated as the Museum of the Un-nerving.  Your streetwise Mexico City friends will probably call it the Drugs Museum, or the Drug War Museum.

The museum began in 1986 as a training room. It was used simply to educate military students on the production, cultivation, and  transportation of drugs. In 2002, it was converted to a museum as the collection of weapons and confiscated objects grew.

A tour of the museum exhibition concludes with description of the damage caused to the body by the consumption of drugs. But the museum receives a wide range of visitors, from civilian undergrads and school cadets to officials, legislators and foreign military delegations. It’s also popular with reporters and media people.

The museum is not open to the general public. But upon submitting a written request stating your reasons for wishing to visit, guests will be admitted at the discretion of the Secretary of National Defense. One needs to call for the proper email address.