This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-30657094
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Ecstasy deaths: Police call to surrender drugs | Ecstasy deaths: Police call to surrender drugs |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Police in Suffolk are calling for a suspected dangerous batch of ecstasy to be handed in amid fears it was linked to the deaths of four men. | Police in Suffolk are calling for a suspected dangerous batch of ecstasy to be handed in amid fears it was linked to the deaths of four men. |
They said the priority was not to arrest anyone surrendering the pills, which carry a Superman motif. | They said the priority was not to arrest anyone surrendering the pills, which carry a Superman motif. |
Two of the dead men are from the Lithuanian community, as is a third man who is recovering in Ipswich Hospital., | |
Meanwhile, police said a 27-year-old man was found dead at a property in Telford, Shropshire, on Thursday. | |
Supt Louisa Pepper said the drug is "highly dangerous" and the "number one priority" is making sure no-one else comes to harm. | Supt Louisa Pepper said the drug is "highly dangerous" and the "number one priority" is making sure no-one else comes to harm. |
"The particular focus is to save lives," she said. | "The particular focus is to save lives," she said. |
"These drugs are potentially so dangerous we just want them off the streets. | "These drugs are potentially so dangerous we just want them off the streets. |
"Tragically three young men have lost their lives. | "Tragically three young men have lost their lives. |
"We view this particular drug as especially dangerous and want to prevent further deaths and save lives. | "We view this particular drug as especially dangerous and want to prevent further deaths and save lives. |
"If you have got any further drugs, please surrender them because they are dangerous. | "If you have got any further drugs, please surrender them because they are dangerous. |
"I can fully understand people's reluctance in this situation, but we are not looking to arrest or prosecute people - they are really dangerous and we are talking about saving lives." | "I can fully understand people's reluctance in this situation, but we are not looking to arrest or prosecute people - they are really dangerous and we are talking about saving lives." |
The two Lithuanian men died in Ipswich. A 22-year-old died at an address in Bramford Lane on Christmas Eve, while a 24-year-old man was found dead in Provan Court on Thursday. | The two Lithuanian men died in Ipswich. A 22-year-old died at an address in Bramford Lane on Christmas Eve, while a 24-year-old man was found dead in Provan Court on Thursday. |
A second man found in a serious condition at Provan Court is currently recovering at Ipswich Hospital. | A second man found in a serious condition at Provan Court is currently recovering at Ipswich Hospital. |
Provan Court resident Tanya Hilling said she was "very shocked". | Provan Court resident Tanya Hilling said she was "very shocked". |
She said: "My thoughts are just for the families." | She said: "My thoughts are just for the families." |
A third man died after being found seriously unwell in Chestnut Close in Rendlesham, Suffolk on Thursday, He has been named locally as 20-year-old labourer, John Hocking. | A third man died after being found seriously unwell in Chestnut Close in Rendlesham, Suffolk on Thursday, He has been named locally as 20-year-old labourer, John Hocking. |
Mr Hocking is believed to be a former student at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham. | Mr Hocking is believed to be a former student at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham. |
Suffolk Police have drawn a link between these drugs and dangerous pills with a similar appearance which were in circulation in the Netherlands last month. | Suffolk Police have drawn a link between these drugs and dangerous pills with a similar appearance which were in circulation in the Netherlands last month. |
Those tablets had a large concentration of PMMA, which acts more slowly than MDMA, the main component of ecstasy. This causes people to take more pills because they think they are not working. | Those tablets had a large concentration of PMMA, which acts more slowly than MDMA, the main component of ecstasy. This causes people to take more pills because they think they are not working. |
Ch Insp Steve Denham said: "As well as it being illegal to sell and buy drugs, it can also be very dangerous, as we have sadly seen with these tragic deaths." | Ch Insp Steve Denham said: "As well as it being illegal to sell and buy drugs, it can also be very dangerous, as we have sadly seen with these tragic deaths." |
Ipswich Hospital chief executive Nick Hulme said: "It is very sad when we have to deal with the impact of drug use on young people." | Ipswich Hospital chief executive Nick Hulme said: "It is very sad when we have to deal with the impact of drug use on young people." |
The deaths have been referred to the Suffolk coroner and inquests will open in due course. | The deaths have been referred to the Suffolk coroner and inquests will open in due course. |