Five arrested after contaminated drug overdoses

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences as part of an investigation into a number of suspected overdoses in Grimsby.

Humberside Police said they had received reports on Thursday and Friday of four people becoming unwell after taking what are thought to be contaminated drugs. All four remain in hospital.

Officers said they were also investigating the death of a man at an address on Hope Street to determine the cause of death and any connection with drugs.

North East Lincolnshire's Public Health team has urged drug users in the area to take extra care over the bank holiday weekend.

Humberside Police said warrants had been issued for two addresses in Hainton Avenue and Daubney Street.

Officers said a total of five males were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of class A drugs. All five remain in custody.

Ch Supt Sharon Philpott said they were carrying out extensive inquiries to establish the circumstances leading up to each report and whether there was a connection between them.

"We are in the early stages of our investigation however we are considering the possibility that the reports could be linked to a contaminated batch of drugs," she said.

Police said they were working alongside the local authority, the drugs and alcohol treatment services and the hospital trusts to provide support and advice to those who have been affected.

Deputy director of public health for Northern Lincolnshire, Geoff Barnes, said "compassionate, non-judgemental support" was available from the North East Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership.

"We are doing lots of work across the region with our partners to support people who do use drugs," he said.

"If you are a drug user, I would encourage you to take some simple steps to not only engage with these support services, but also to reduce your risk of harm."

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