Teenagers may be first to die from legal drug

Three people have been arrested in connection with the deaths of two teenagers who are believed to be the first to have died from taking the legal drug mephedrone.

Humberside Police said they believed the drug mephedrone had contributed to the deaths of Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, who had been out drinking together in Scunthorpe until the early hours of yesterday morning.

A 26-year-old man, a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy have been arrested in connection with the incident and remain in custody.

Police said officers searching a property in connection with the investigation found packages marked “herbal highs”, a letter indicating that herbal highs had been bought, and empty mephedrone packets.

One of the arrested men was taken to hospital after being thought to have taken the drug, which is also known as “M-CAT” and “mieow”. He has now been released into custody with no symptoms, police said.

A man and woman who attended hospital earlier have also been released.

A further three people admitted themselves to hospital and were being examined.

Police were notified after Mr Wainwright was pronounced dead at his home in Low Burgage, Winteringham, at noon yesterday.

Officers received a second call at 4.22pm in connection with the death of Mr Smith on Redbourne Street, in Scunthorpe.

Det Chief Insp Mark Oliver, senior investigating officer, said: “We have information to suggest these deaths are linked to M-CAT.

“We would encourage anyone who may have taken the drug or knows somebody who has taken the drug to attend a local hospital as a matter of urgency.

“Anyone who knows somebody who has possession of the drug, we would encourage them to either hand it in to a local police station or dispose of the substance as soon as possible and contact Humberside Police.”

A police spokeswoman added: “This substance is very dangerous.”