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Police have warned people not to buy or take illegal drugs amid fears a dangerous batch of ecstasy is in circulation following the deaths of two men at a super club in Liverpool on Boxing Day .
Merseyside Police issued the warning about dangerous ecstasy pills they believe are circulating the area, which are said to be shield-shaped tablets bearing a lion or griffin logo, which are reported to be orange/ red in colour, according to the Liverpool Echo
The second man to die after the club night finale at Cream club, was named as Andrew Glaister, 47 from the Isle of Man, who died on Tuesday.
He is not believed to have known 19-year-old John Milburn, an apprentice engineer from Crosby, Merseyside who died in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Both had attended the finale night of the “superclub” Cream at the Nation venue on Wolstenholme Square, which was due to be knocked down to build a £40 million project including shops, cafes and an underground venue.
Detective Chief Inspector, Mark Kameen of Merseyside police said: “Our message is clear, it is not only illegal to buy and sell drugs but it can also be very dangerous and potentially fatal.
“We would urge people not to be tempted to take illegal drugs – you don’t know what they are made of, where they have come from or what effects they may have on you.”
Police are investigating whether drugs are linked to both deaths, but officials have not so far linked either death to drugs as the result of a post-mortem on Mr Milburn is being withheld pending toxicology reports.
Mr Milburn became ill at the Nation venue, and an ambulance was called at around 3.30am for the first victim, which was called back at around 4.40am for Mr Glaister.
Police said: “There are significant risks with any drug misuse, especially when it involves drugs bought off the streets from unregulated sources. The effects of drugs are not always immediately apparently or can be delayed.
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“This can sometimes result in people taking more in order to speed up the effects. This can have devastating results.”
A man was arrested on Wednesday as part of the investigation, reported the Liverpool Echo. The 22 year-old man from Seaforth has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The club first opened in 1992, and has since expanded to an international brand, including Cream Ibiza and Creamfields festival.
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