Four people remain on bail, after suspected heroin batch leads to 'major incident' in North Devon

Test are being carried out to see what was in the substance

Police say investigations continue
Author: Andrew KayPublished 29th Apr 2024
Last updated 29th Apr 2024

Police in North Devon say two men and two women remain on bail - after a suspected strong batch of heroin led to 10 people being taken to hospital and two deaths

Tests are now being carried out on the substance and two people remain in North Devon District Hospital this morning undergoing treatment.

Suspected drug users were taken ill on Friday night across Westward Ho!, Bideford and Barnstaple where one person died at the scene, another later in hospital

While there's not thought to be a wider threat to the community, drug users are being urged to use 'extreme caution' and they're being supported by health groups

Senior Investigating officer Detective Superintendent Ben Davies said: “While we believe the substance found on Friday has been contained and there is no threat to the wider community, we continue to investigate the circumstances of the now two deaths as a result of taking this substance.

“We are continuing to carry out tests in order to ascertain what the substance is, but suspect it is a form of heroin combined with another substance which users will find causes more serious effects than heroin which they might usually use.

“Health partners are continuing to work with local drug users in a bid to safeguard them as much as possible, but we would continue to urge any users to exercise extreme caution.

“Advice remains that if you feel you are suffering an adverse reaction or are in the company of someone in a need of urgent medical attention, call 999 for appropriate care and help."

There's an official police list of drugs and alcohol support organisations across Devon and Cornwall here

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