Man dies and 20 ill amid contaminated spice fear

A man has died and 20 other people have become ill after taking what is believed to be a contaminated batch of drugs in Hull.

Emergency crews were called to Pryme Street Carpark on Monday after reports that a man had died.

In a joint statement, Hull City Council, Humberside Police and the drug and alcohol treatment service ReNew said they were aware of a "higher than usual" number of people suffering drug overdoses in the last 24 hours.

It is thought the drugs are being sold as spice, with forensic analysis taking place to identify the substances as well as investigations into how the drugs came into circulation.

Det Ch Insp Jon Cross said: "Investigations into a man’s death and 20 people who were taken ill due to suspected drug use are in their early stages, however we are considering the possibility that they could have been caused by contaminated batches of drugs.

“We believe the drugs are being sold as spice and forensic analysis is taking place to identify the substances, with various enquiries underway as to how the drugs have come to be in circulation and where from.

"We would appeal to anyone who may have any information that may assist our investigation to please contact us."

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