‘Volatile’ heroin warning after sudden deaths link

NEWPORT Police are linking the sudden deaths of two men in Newport to heroin and are warning about a “potentially volatile” batch of the drug which may be circulating in the city. Medical emergencies involving two other men have also been linked to the drug. All four incidents happened between January 1 and January 8. Gwent Police said it is not yet clear whether they were caused by the strength of a particular batch of drugs or contamination with another substance. A 31-year-old man from Newport has been arrested on suspicion of the supply of Class A drugs after three search warrants were executed on Thursday, January 10. He has since been released under investigation. South Wales Police have been investigating a batch of drugs in circulation in the Rhondda after the sudden death of a 17-year-old boy. Detective chief inspector Nicholas Wilkie, of Gwent Police’s East Local Policing Area, said: “It is not clear yet whether all these tragic events are directly related. However, I cannot rule out the possibility that these deaths and medical emergencies are linked to the same batch of heroin. “The use of heroin is, of course, illegal but I would urge anyone currently using the drug to be especially cautious and vigilant. If you are considering taking drugs - even if you are a regular user - please think twice.”