Seven killed by elephant drug
Cop warning after 100 times stronger heroin found
SEVEN people in one town are believed to have been killed by heroin contaminated with an anaesthetic used on elephants.
Police believe batches of the drug in the Barnsley area of South Yorkshire have been cut with the powerful synthetic opioids fentanyl and carfentanyl to make them stronger.
Fentanyl – the drug that killed pop superstar Prince last year – is used to help ease pain after surgery or other medical procedures and is 100 times more potent than street heroin. But carfentanyl is even stronger – and is normally used only on large animals such as elephants and bears.
There were warnings over the two drugs inthe US last year after a spate of deaths thought to be linked to them.
But they had become such popular additives dealers were even offering naloxone, a drug meant to reverse overdoses, to customers buying the super-strength heroin.
South Yorkshire Police said the latest tragedy was reported last Wednesday.
Two people died on April 20 and 21 while three men and a woman were found dead at separate addresses on April 14. A spokesman for the force said: “We are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances surrounding each death and continue to explore whether there are any connections.” But Assistant Chief Constable Tim Forber said previous warnings i ssued across t he Yorkshire and Humber region indicated that batches of heroin had been contaminated. He said: “Officers in South Yorkshire are working closely with investigative teams across the Yorkshire and Humber region to piece together the information we have gathered as part of our enquiries into this series of incidents.
“We continue to work with our partners in public health to raise awareness of the risks to drug users.
“I would urge anyone who has concerns, or has taken a substance and feels unwell, t o please seek medical advice immediately.
“I would encourage anyone with information about those who may be involved in illegal drugs supply in Barnsley or anywhere in our county, to please call police on 101 or anonymously contact with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”