Andrew Carey
“TAINTED” cocaine, it is understood, in circulation in county Limerick, caused five people to be hospitalised in the early hours of Sunday morning last.
Gardai were called and emergency services attended the scene shortly after 4am on Sunday March 30 last where one person had become so ill that they were vomiting repeatedly.
Until a technical analysis of the drugs is completed at garda forensic laboratories, it is not known what the make-up and composition of the cocaine was which forced the five to become extremely ill.
The incident happened at an apartment in Market Court in Newcastlewest where three women and two men, aged in their late 20s and early 30s, were later treated at University Hospital Limerick.
Previously, what had been described as “bad batches”, cocaine had been cut with white powder substances such as talcum or baking powder, lactose, sugars, mannitol, lidocaine or animal tranquilisers. It can also be cut with other stimulant products.
In the meantime, Gardaí at Newcastle West are investigating and anyone with information can contact the garda incident room on 069-20650.
