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Police urge people to hand in pills after 'Superman-style' ecstasy kills four Three arrested after 'rogue' ecstasy pills kill four
(about 7 hours later)
Police are pleading for help to get a deadly batch of ecstasy tablets off the streets before they kill anyone else. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs after the deaths of four men thought to have been killed by a rogue batch of ecstasy.
The appeal came after a fourth man died after taking the pills – emblazoned with a Superman-style “S” logo – which have a different active ingredient to most ecstasy tablets. The arrests came after police appealed for help in tracking down the drugs and getting them off the streets before they kill anyone else.
Police made the plea after the deaths were linked with pills – emblazoned with a Superman-style “S” logo – which have a different active ingredient to most ecstasy tablets.
Three men have died in Suffolk in the past 10 days; another is in a serious condition in hospital; while a fourth died in Telford, Shropshire, on New Year’s Day.Three men have died in Suffolk in the past 10 days; another is in a serious condition in hospital; while a fourth died in Telford, Shropshire, on New Year’s Day.
All four are thought to have taken some of the deadly batch and police are anxious to “remove these dangerous drugs off the streets”. But there was confusion about how the problem is being handled. The arrested men, aged 19, 20 and 26, are from Ipswich.
Suffolk police said their priority was to save lives and that they were “not looking to prosecute” people who possess the pills, though they did not say if the amnesty would be extended to dealers. But there was confusion about how the problem is being handled.
By contrast, police in West Mercia are not operating an amnesty, leaving anyone trying to hand in rogue ecstasy pills open to immediate arrest. “We aren’t participating in this amnesty. It’s just Suffolk Police,” said a spokeswoman. “We are just asking for information and warning people.” Suffolk police said that they were “not looking to prosecute” people who possess the pills, though they did not say if the amnesty would be extended to dealers.
Ecstasy usually contains MDMA but it is believed the rogue batch has the ingredient PMMA, which is slower to take effect than MDMA. It is feared users are taking too many pills because they think they are not working. By contrast, police in West Mercia are not operating an amnesty, leaving anyone trying to hand in rogue ecstasy pills open to immediate arrest.
Earlier, Detective Chief Inspector Sean Paley, from West Mercia Police, said: “We are eager to hear from anyone who has been offered drugs in the Telford area. Alert police so that we can remove these dangerous drugs off the streets.” Ecstasy usually contains MDMA but it is believed the rogue batch has the ingredient PMMA, which is slower to take effect than MDMA.
Superintendent Louisa Pepper, of Suffolk police, said anyone in possession of the tablets should hand them in. It is feared users are taking too many pills because they think they are not working.
She said: “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.” Earlier, Detective Chief Inspector Sean Paley, from West Mercia Police, said: “We are eager to hear from anyone who has been offered drugs in the Telford area.
“Alert police so that we can remove these dangerous drugs off the streets.”
Superintendent Louisa  Pepper, of Suffolk police, said anyone in possession of the tablets should hand them in.
She said: “We view this particular drug as especially dangerous. We are not looking to arrest or prosecute people – they are really dangerous and we are talking about saving lives.”