Fifth person arrested over 'unusual batch of heroin'

Two men dead

A fifth person has been arrested in relation to a medical incident in North Devon believed to be linked to substance abuse in the area.

Police and partner agencies became aware of what was locally thought to be an unusual batch of heroin circulating among drug users in Westward Ho!, Bideford and Barnstaple on Friday 26 April.

Emergency service partners declared a major incident, due to a number of people requiring medical treatment over a short time.

This was stood down on Saturday morning, but a total of 10 people were admitted to North Devon District Hospital for treatment. Of those, one person remains in hospital on unrelated matters.

A man in his 30s from Westward Ho! died as a result of taking the substance on Friday and a second man in his 40s, from South Molton, who had earlier been admitted to hospital, died late on Saturday – believed to be as a result of taking the same substance.

Two men and two women were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of a controlled substance on Saturday.

A fifth person, a man, was arrested on the same grounds fon Sunday.

All five have now been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

North and West Devon local policing area commander Superintendent Toby Davies said: “We continue to investigate the circumstances around the deaths of the two men and the others who were admitted to hospital, as a result of taking this substance.

“We believe there is no wider threat to the community and that the substance found on Friday has been contained.

“Tests continue to be carried out to ascertain what the substance is, but it is suspected that it is a 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.”