Warning after three deaths linked to blue pills

A health warning has been issued urging people to avoid a batch of blue tablets following three deaths in Plymouth.

Devon and Cornwall Police said two men aged in their 20s and 30s were pronounced dead at an address in Welbeck Avenue on Saturday and a third man, aged in his 30s, was found dead in a property on North Road East the following day.

Det Insp Michelle Dunn said all three deaths were believed to be drugs-related and were being treated as linked and unexplained.

Plymouth City Council has issued a public health warning following the deaths, saying the incidents are believed to be linked to blue pills being sold illegally as Valium, in blister packs with Arabic writing on them.

Prof Steve Maddern, the council's director of public health, said the tablets were being tested to discover if they are toxic.

He said the contents of the drugs could not be known until the tests were done, but the authorities wanted people to be aware of issues potentially linked to them.

"Any loss of a life is a tragedy, and we want to prevent it happening to anyone else," Prof Maddern added.

"We're very concerned about these tablets... they might look like Valium, but they could be contaminated with another substance and therefore more toxic.

"If you or someone you know has these tablets, do not take them."

If someone has taken drugs and becomes unwell, the council's advice is to call 999 straight away or take them to Derriford Hospital's Emergency Department.

Prof Maddern said he did not have further details about where the drugs had come from.

He added: "It's been quite a surprise to us to see these three deaths over the weekend without any kind of pre-warning in relation to other overdoses, which is a concern to us."

The professor said some people might be purchasing the pills outside of blister packs and if anyone did feel like they had to take one, they should do so in the company of others so the emergency services could be called if something went wrong.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to speak with them as officers investigate the deaths.

Det Insp Dunn said: "Our inquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are working closely with our partner agencies to do this.

"If anyone has any information which they feel may assist our investigation, please report it to us."

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