Warning after three deaths linked to blue pills
Devon and Cornwall Police said two men aged in their 20s and 30s were pronounced dead at an address in Welbeck Avenue on Saturday and a third man, aged in his 30s, was found dead in a property on North Road East the following day.
Det Insp Michelle Dunn said all three deaths were believed to be drugs-related and were being treated as linked and unexplained.
Plymouth City Council has issued a public health warning following the deaths, saying the incidents are believed to be linked to blue pills being sold illegally as Valium, in blister packs with Arabic writing on them.
Prof Steve Maddern, the council's director of public health, said the tablets were being tested to discover if they are toxic.
He said the contents of the drugs could not be known until the tests were done, but the authorities wanted people to be aware of issues potentially linked to them.
"Any loss of a life is a tragedy, and we want to prevent it happening to anyone else," Prof Maddern added.
"We're very concerned about these tablets... they might look like Valium, but they could be contaminated with another substance and therefore more toxic.
"If you or someone you know has these tablets, do not take them."
If someone has taken drugs and becomes unwell, the council's advice is to call 999 straight away or take them to Derriford Hospital's Emergency Department.
Prof Maddern said he did not have further details about where the drugs had come from.
He added: "It's been quite a surprise to us to see these three deaths over the weekend without any kind of pre-warning in relation to other overdoses, which is a concern to us."
The professor said some people might be purchasing the pills outside of blister packs and if anyone did feel like they had to take one, they should do so in the company of others so the emergency services could be called if something went wrong.
More news stories for Devon
Listen to the latest news for Devon
Police have appealed for any witnesses to speak with them as officers investigate the deaths.
Det Insp Dunn said: "Our inquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are working closely with our partner agencies to do this.
"If anyone has any information which they feel may assist our investigation, please report it to us."
Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
Devon and Cornwall Police
Plymouth City Council
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sea swim in office wear raising money for charity
Workers in Guernsey have entered the sea in office clothing in a bid to raise money for a heart charity. Keen sea swimmer Tristan Boscher, 47, said the 'Port Soiffice' annual charity swim at Port Soif had been running for 11 years. "I had my own heart attack and went to Southampton and had triple bypass surgery so since then we've been doing it for heart charities," he said. Mr Boscher said proceeds would go to Guernsey's Chest and Heart, a charity which offers screening to people between the ages of 25 and 75. Mr Boscher, who swims all year round, said five years had passed since he had the heart attack. He added that the heart attack happened the day after he had taken part in the Port Soiffice. "It just came out of the blue," he said. "I was very active." He said the chosen charity was a good one to support to try to "prevent people from going through heart conditions and identifying any issues early on". 'Bobbing and gobbing' Mr Boscher said the idea to wear suits during the swim originated due to the "play on words". "Port Soif leant itself to Port Soiffice," he added. "When we first did it we were in these suits and we had a desk and a computer in the water... that was the start of it really." Mr Boscher's friend Sue Duport, committee member for Guernsey's Swim All Seasons, has been taking part in the fundraiser for three years. Ms Duport said the charitable event was "really good" for mental health. "It has taken away a lot of isolation for a lot of people," she said. "It's always laughter, bobbing and gobbing and it's just a really good experience." More news stories for Guernsey Listen to the latest news for Guernsey Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Related internet links Guernsey Chest and Heart
UPI
28-06-2025
- UPI
Dozens of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza
Displaced Palestinians wait to receive aid from World Food Program USA on Thursday. Starvation is intensifying amid more Israeli airstrikes against Hamas on the Gaza Strip. Photo by Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE June 28 (UPI) -- Dozens of Palestinians died in several rounds of Israeli airstrikes from Friday night until Saturday morning, officials said. At least 44 people died in the Gaza Strip since dawn, hospital sources told Al Jazeera Arabic. The Guardian reported at least 62 people died in overnight strikes. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by the Iran-funded militant group Hamas, said 81 people have died and 422 were wounded over 24 hours. Al Jazeera reported an airstrike in a residential building in Gaza City killed at least 20 Palestinians, including nine children. "We were sitting peacefully when we received a call from a private number telling us to evacuate the entire block immediately -- a residential area belonging to the al-Nakhalah family. As you can see, the whole block is nearly wiped out," Mahmoud al-Nakhala told Al Jazeera. "We still don't know why two, three-story homes were targeted ... It's heartbreaking that people watch what's happening in Gaza -- the suffering, the massacres -- and stay silent. At this point, we can't even comprehend what's happening here anymore," he added. Rescuers were working to remove victims from under rubble. Those hurt were taken to al-Ahli Hospital, which is lacking medical resources. There were also drone strikes elsewhere on Gaza Strip, including in the city of Khan Younis and the Bureij refugee camp. The Guardian reported that a dozen people were killed near a displacement camp near Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, after which a nearby airstrike nearby killed at least 11 people and a family sleeping in a tent was reported to have died in a strike in al-Mawasi, southern Gaza. At least 56,412 Palestinians have been killed 133,054 wounded since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Hamas' attack on Israel that day killed approximately 1,200 people and 251 hostages were taken. President Donald Trump on Friday said there could be a cease-fire agreement "within the next week" despite no signs of negotiations underway. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have worsened since Israel resumed airstrikes on March 18 after a cease-fire that ran from Jan. 19 to March 1. Unicef said last week that 60% of water production facilities in Gaza weren't working and acute child malnutrition increased 51% from April to May. In a separate strike in southern Lebanon on Friday, Israel Defense Forces killed Hezbollah terrorist Hassan Muhammad Hammoudi, the military told the Jerusalem Post on Saturday night. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of continually violating the U.S.-brokered cease-fire deal.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Moonlight walk to remember lost loved ones
People are set to take part in a Jersey walking event to remember loved ones they have lost. Jersey Hospice Care has organised the Moonlight Walk with two circular routes - a 5km (3.1 miles) Half Moon Walk or a 10km (6.2 miles) Full Moon Walk - starting at St Brelade's Parish Hall at 21:00 BST. Organisers said more than 300 people had signed up and they expected a few more to attend on the night. Marina Brockbank, community engagement officer for Jersey Hospice Care, said the event could be "truly heart-warming". More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey Ms Brockbank said: "Whether you're walking to celebrate the lives of those no longer with us, make new memories, or perhaps a bit of both - it's about coming together as a community to show how much we value our hospice's work." The charity said marshals and water stops would be positioned along the routes and entrants would get a cup of tea and some cake when they finish. Entries cost £31.50 for a family of two adults and two children or £10.50 for people aged 16 or over and £5.25 for under 16s, who must be accompanied by an adult, the charity said. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Jersey Hospice Care launches three-year strategy Jersey Hospice aims to raise £100,000 in 72 hours Jersey Hospice Care Moonlight Walk
