Benidorm: the movie
THE lucrative trade in Spice has unleashed gang violence on our streets.
And it has led to fears the battle over sales of the highly-addictive drug could lead to deaths.
Already, stabbings and kidnappings have been reported as dealers fight to protect their turf.
One Spice junkie told the Daily Star Sunday: “There’s a war going on because it’s good money and they all want sole control of the trade.
“I know of people getting shot in the legs or stabbed. There’s even kids getting kidnapped to warn them off.”
Any deaths from gang wars would add to the toll of addicts killed by homemade Spice.
Dealers have come up with their own recipes after the Government slapped a ban on the former legal high last year.
They are making their own product using household items like nail varnish remover and cooking spices.
Now the drug has spread from jails – where there is a lucrative trade in “Prison Spice” – and on to the streets.
One homeless man on Merseyside, who gave his name as John, said: “I got addicted during a jail stretch for burglary in 2013 and I haven’t been able to kick it.
“I’ve lost my home, my family, everything and now I’m on the streets.”
He lit up a pipe packed with homemade Spice he had bought from a dealer and began to smoke it.
During our chat he passed out and woke up again three times.
John told us: “Spice from the head shops was decent stuff and although very dangerous it was nowhere near as bad as the stuff now. Once the ban came in people panicked – especially JOE HINTON in prison. They started making their own product using everyday items they could smuggle in undetected. “Junkies bought the stuff because there was no other alternative and now it’s the same on the streets. “There’s stuff left over from the ban which we get from time to time, but most of what’s being sold now is the Prison spice – the homemade recipes. “Gangs in Bootle have labs and are making the stuff. It’s seen as a mainstream drug like crack and heroin and is knocked out on drug runs. They usually bring about 100g out and get rid of it at once. “It’s £10 a gram. You can get three for £25. It used to be £7 a gram and three for £15. So that’s a grand made in one run alone.” He said street junkies have “puked up blood” and been hospitalised, adding: “It has killed three homeless people in Merseyside in the last six months. One was found dead on a park bench near the Albert Dock.” Frightening footage revealed how ‘fake weed’ is turning the homeless in Manchester into the “walking dead”. On Thursday, 11 people collapsed in the city centre in just eight hours after using Spice. John said: “It’s the same stuff – homemade and distributed to the homeless. “That’s why you’re seeing them look like zombies. It’s the same here it just hasn’t been picked up. It is an evil drug, but we just can’t get off it.” ACTRESS Sherrie Hewson wants hit show Benidorm to be made into a film.
ITV bosses have commissioned a tenth series of the comedy.
But Sherrie, 66, says it should be taken to the big screen or even the stage if its TV run ends.
The actress, who plays Solana resort manageress Joyce Temple-Savage, told the Daily Star Sunday: “Making it to series ten is very special. But my feeling is if this ever does end then they should make a film.
“I also think it would make an amazing stage show. Put in a bit of music – imagine how fun it would be.”
Benidorm is on ITV at 9pm on Wednesday.