The Dutch Police have told HM Customs and Excise that they have seized an ecstasy tablet in Holland containing 8 milligrams of strychnine, which is used in rat poison. They say that between 5 to 15 milligrams of strychnine can be fatal to humans, and have issued warnings to Dutch drug users.
The Dutch Police have told HM Customs and Excise that they have seized an ecstasy tablet in Holland containing 8 milligrams of strychnine, which is used in rat poison. They say that between 5 to 15 milligrams of strychnine can be fatal to humans, and have issued warnings to Dutch drug users.
Virtually all the ecstasy used in the UK is smuggled from Holland. The Dutch believe there are similar ecstasy tablets also containing the poison. It is possible such tablets may enter the UK although Customs and Excise have no evidence as yet that this has happened.
The tablet was seized on 28 January. It is yellow in colour with dark brown flecks, but has no logo. It has a diameter of 9mm and a thickness of 4.4 mm.
The Government is informing hospitals, doctors and health authorities about the existence of this tablet.
Keith Hellawell, the UK Anti Drug co-ordinator said:
“This illustrates the dangers of buying and using illegal drugs – the criminals supplying them are only interested in their profits.
“I have been warning about the dangers of adulterants within drugs. If young people saw the conditions under which many of these concoctions are prepared and the ingredients that they put into them, they would never touch the stuff again.
“Some of these substances are inherently dangerous to anyone who takes them – Don’t dance with death!”
We have no further information at this stage – Customs and Excise is maintaining its vigilance against illegal drug imports.
Please phone our 24 hour confidential hotline – 0800 59 5000 if you have any information about illegal imports.