Tainted ecstasy found in recent raids
PMMA linked to 9th drug death in Calgary
CBC News
Posted: Mar 22, 2012 3:05 PM MT
Last Updated: Mar 22, 2012 3:02 PM MT
Lab results from three recent ecstasy busts confirm that the drugs were tainted with PMMA, Calgary police say.
The presence of PMMA, or paramethoxymethamphetamine, in ecstasy has now been linked to nine recent deaths in Calgary.
Calgary police say they are concerned for the wellbeing of anyone who might have bought drugs from five men, seen here, who are all facing charges. (Calgary Police Service)The latest fatality happened last month, police confirmed on Thursday after toxicology results showed that a 51-year-old man who died in hospital had consumed PMMA.
Five men are facing drug-related charges after three separate investigations in Calgary last month in which ecstasy was seized.
“Investigators are concerned for the wellbeing of any member of the public who may have purchased illegal drugs from these individuals,” police said on Thursday as they released pictures of the accused to the media.
Police also issued a warning that even with these arrests, there could still be dangerous PMMA-tainted drugs out there.
Facing charges are: 21-year-ol James Wellesley Briscoe of Bragg Creek, Alastair Kane Charles Seabrook, 22, and Brody Thomas Stephenson, 20, both of Calgary; Andrew Tafara Gray, 32, and Rudolph Vincent Lopez, 31, both of Calgary.
“... street drugs are dangerous, they do kill and you do not know what you’re taking,” police said.
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