Deaths case drug on sale in county

Legal drug mephedrone, which is being linked to the deaths of two teenagers, is prevalent in Shrewsbury, it has been claimed.

It has emerged that one known dealer has been selling the drug, known as meow meow, in recent months.

But as the drug, which is believed to have been responsible for the deaths of Scunthorpe teenagers Nick Smith and Louis Wainwright earlier this week, is still legal no action can be taken.

The news was revealed at a meeting of North East Shrewsbury local joint committee last night, where committee vice chairman and Shropshire councillor Malcolm Price warned it was very much an issue for the people of Shropshire to be aware of.

Residents were also told how West Mercia Police's drugs liaison team is aware of activities concerning the drug in the Shrewsbury area but is being forced to wait for Government legislation to classify the drug before action can be taken.

Mr Smith, 19, and Mr Wainwright, 18, both died on Monday hours after taking mephedrone during a night out clubbing.

It is believed around five people have died in Britain as a result of taking the drug, and there have been calls nationwide for it to be banned.

Councillor Price said: "There are people in the Shrewsbury area who do deal drugs and there has been an instance with one dealer in Shrewsbury supplying mephedrone.

"It's very much a local issue that the people of Shrewsbury and Shropshire need to be aware of it's not something that's just going on in Scunthorpe, it's happening right here in Shrewsbury."

Constable Andrew Gardner, local policing officer for Sundorne, said police were very aware of the drug but said people could not be charged for supplying it.

Meanwhile, three males aged 26, 20 and 17 arrested in connection with the deaths of Mr Smith and Mr Wainwright have been released on bail, police said today. Police also arrested a fourth person - a 26-year-old man - who is in custody.

By Peter Kitchen