'Superman' pills linked to Telford man's death did contain dangerous ingredient, say police

More than 400 red triangle-shaped pills with a Superman logo were found by Suffolk Police in a public place near the Norwich Road, Ipswich on Sunday.

The pills - similar to ecstasy - are believed to have led to the recent death of 27-year-old Daniel Bagnall, who was found deceased at a property on Woodside Road in Ketley on New Year's Day.

The pills are also being linked to the deaths of two young men in Ipswich, on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. The death of a third man in Rendlesham is also under investigation.

Two men have also been admitted to hospital in Suffolk, possibly as a result of taking the drug.

Today, Suffolk Police said it had tested the pills and found PMMA, a stronger and more dangerous active ingredient than those usually found in ecstasy.

• PMA is similar to MDMA (the chemical in ecstasy). It can make you feel alert, alive and full of energy. Its similarity means that PMA is actually sometimes sold as ecstasy. However, PMA is more poisonous and can kill at lower doses than MDMA. Also like MDMA, it can cause a fatal rise in body temperature.

• The effects of PMA also take longer than MDMA to begin to be felt – so some users have overdosed by mistakenly taking pill after pill thinking nothing is happening, which can also be fatal.

• As little as a quarter of a tablet (60mg) is enough to significantly increase blood pressure, body temperature and pulse rates.

• Anyone with a heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a very dangerous reaction to the drug.

• Anyone using too much can get paranoid and depressed.

• PMA can cause muscle spasms and lots of people feel very sick after taking it.

• Mixing PMA with alcohol can have serious consequences – the effects of PMA are increased, making it more likely to experience its negative effects.

• PMA is a Class A drug which means that it's illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell.

• Possession can get you up to seven years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

• Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you a life sentence and/or an unlimited fine.

For further details visit www.talktofrank.com/drug/pma

Alan Murray, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for health and adult care, said: "These pills contain potentially lethal ingredients which as we have seen can have tragic consequences.

"We would urge people under no circumstances to take these or any other illegal drugs.

"This is a slow release drug taking several hours to work, and then lasting for several hours.

"Symptoms include initial shaking and sweating, which can develop into a rapid temperature increase, severely raised heart rate and blood pressure. When combined with alcohol or dehydration, this can prove fatal.

"If you have taken illegal drugs, or if you know someone who has become unwell after taking illegal drugs and needs urgent medical care, call 999 immediately and ask for the ambulance service."

Police are urging anyone in possession of the pills to hand them in to prevent further deaths or harm. Despite this appeal, so far no drugs have been handed into the force.

Superintendent Louisa Pepper said: "Our absolute priority is to prevent anyone else from suffering the tragic consequences of these drugs, by removing them from our communities.

"We're urging anyone who has tablets matching this description not to take them or pass them on, and to hand them in to us or one of the agencies listed.

"We successfully seized a large quantity of drugs at the weekend but there may still be some out there, so if you are offered them or have any information about these tablets, please contact us immediately."

Adrian Lubecki, 19, of St Matthews Street, Ipswich, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs and possession with intent to supply a Class B drug. He is being held in custody.

A 20-year-old man and a 26-year-old man from Ipswich, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs, have been released on police bail pending further investigation.