Synthetic drugs linked to 20 deaths

AUCKLAND: Police believe about 20 people may have died recently from synthetic drugs.

Police and the chief coroner yesterday reinforced their previous warnings about the dangerous consequences of using synthetic drugs.

It comes following the recent deaths of two men aged 22 and 37, and a 26yearold woman, all from West Auckland, who died in separate incidents and where the coroner is investigating whether synthetic drugs were a possible cause of death.

Police say it is a nationwide problem. They are also looking at the recent death of a 21yearold Feilding man where synthetic drugs may have been involved.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said people needed to tell police who was selling and manufacturing these drugs.

‘‘We need your help to catch these offenders and to hold them to account.’’

‘‘You may have noticed that we are not calling it synthetic cannabis.

‘‘It is not cannabis. The majority of our ESR testing have found the dangerous chemical AMBFubinaca.

‘‘I want to be very clear that we have been open and transparent about our testing, this is what ESR is finding in the drugs we have seized.

‘‘It is a dangerous drug that we know is a synthetic compound usually manufactured overseas.

‘‘Those taking it, are taking a huge risk because you do not know where it has come from, or the level of dosage.’’

Det Insp Beard said police had made a significant number of seizures and arrests across the country and were focused on arresting those responsible for the sale and supply of the dangerous drug.

Chief coroner Judge Deborah Marshall has around 20 cases under review where synthetic drugs are a possible cause of death. — NZME