Police are warning Islanders about a rogue batch of ecstasy tablets that is currently circulating on the Island and has led to at least 4 people being hospitalised and even the cancellation of surgery at St Mary’s.
Island Echo understands that 3 people aged in their 20s were hospitalised during the early hours of yesterday morning (Saturday) after taking the dodgy drugs, which they thought were ecstasy tablets. One male was found in Newport High Street near Superdrug with significant facial injuries and was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital at around 03:30.
According to Hampshire Constabulary, the illegal tablets have made people appear to act drunk, become very aggressive, very frightened and lose consciousness.
Police believe 3 of the people affected bought the tablets from someone inside Yates bar in the High Street, Newport on Friday night or the early hours of Saturday. Yates is currently working closely with police to assist them in this matter.
A fourth victim was also admitted to hospital yesterday (Saturday).
A spokesman for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust has today said:
“These four individuals have had a very lucky escape but it will be several weeks before we know whether they will have made a full recovery.
“St. Mary’s Hospital had to open and staff an additional area to treat and monitor the four. This resulted in the cancellation of scheduled surgery on Saturday morning for several other patients.”
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Officers are warning people not to take any tablets they may have bought recently as ecstasy. Where possible they are asked to hand them into police who can then analyse them as part of the investigation and make sure they are disposed of correctly. It it said that taking these tablets could be life threatening.
Detectives working on the case would like to reassure people that anyone who hands potential ecstasy tablets into police on the Island with the intention of preventing harm to others will not be prosecuted for possession of illegal drugs.
An 18-year-old Island man from Ryde has been arrested in connection with the investigation. He remains in Police custody.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Newport Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
More information about drugs and their effect can be found on the NHS Choices website at https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/drugs/Pages/Drugsoverview.aspx. Drugs advice can be found on the Frank website at https://www.talktofrank.com/ or by calling 0300 123 6000.
