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Police investigate three deaths linked to 'dangerous batch of drugs'

Police have issued a fresh warning over the red pills after another man was taken to hospital after apparently taking one. They are linking three deaths in Suffolk to the rogue batch of ecstasy pills.

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People told 'they have nothing to fear' by handing in dangerous ecstasy pills

'Superman' ecstasy pills Credit: Suffolk Police

Suffolk police investigating the deaths of three men in their twenties, one on Christmas Eve in Ipswich and two others on New Year's Day in Ipswich and Rendlesham, are urging people to hand in 'superman' ecstasy pills.

Detectives think the 'bad batch' of the illegal drug is to blame for the deaths, which also left a fourth person seriously ill.

Now it's emerged that a fourth death in Telford may well be linked.

"We are eager to hear from anyone who has been offered drugs in the Telford area recently. Alert police so that we can remove these dangerous drugs off the streets."

– Det Chief Insp Sean Paley, West Mercia Police

"I can fully understand people's reluctance in this situation, but we are not looking to arrest or prosecute people - they are really dangerous and we are talking about saving lives."

– Superintendent Louise Pepper, Suffolk police
John Hocking died on New Year's Day in Rendlesham Credit: Alban Donohoe

20-year old labourer John Hocking from Rendlesham in Suffolk has been named as one of the men who died on New Year's Day.

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