Witham: Drug Warning After Teen Death

Police are warning there may be dangerous drugs in circulation after a teenager from Braintree died on Saturday (27th April).

The 19-year-old was found in the early hours, in a flat in Witham, after taking a form of LSD.

A police spokesman said officers went to an address in Bramble Road at about 2.25am after being called by the ambulance service.

Two other men, an 18-year-old from Braintree and 21-year-old from Witham, who are also thought to have taken the drug, were taken to hospital.

They're both now well after treatment.

The spokesman said: "Detectives suspect the drugs are from a crudely-produced batch which has proved to be fatal.

"A forensic post-mortem examination will be held later today (Saturday 27th April) and toxicology tests will be carried out to establish how the teenager died."

Detective Chief Inspector Anne Cameron said: ``We believe that one person has died and two others were taken ill because they have taken a drug that was poorly-produced by criminals who have no regard for the lives of their customers.

"Anyone with information about these drugs or anyone with any information about the death should contact us urgently."

The spokesman added: "Detectives would like to make the public aware of the danger that there may be other similar drugs in circulation. The drug has the physical appearance of a white crystal powder (similar to sugar) and has a hallucinogenic type of effect. The drug can be taken orally or ingested nasally. Anyone who may be in possession of this type of drug should stop using it with immediate effect."

Anyone with any information was asked to contact officers at Braintree police station on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.