Pill warning issued as man dies after falling ill at Manchester's Warehouse Project
Following the incident, four people were arrested on suspicion of drug offences
Pill warnings have been issued following the death of a 20-year-old man at Warehouse Project during the early hours of Saturday morning (September 25).
The Manchester Evening News has reported that at around 3:30AM, officers monitoring the Mayfield Depot club were informed that a man was unwell and had been transported to the hospital. The cause of the death is not yet confirmed.
On the same night, a 20-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with the intent to supply, while two men aged 23 and 22 and a 21-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A substances.
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They are being held in custody and are pending further investigation.
The Metropolis drum and bass and jungle event has been headlined by DJs Andy C, Friction, and Sub Focus in the Manchester city centre venue on the evening of the incident.
This incident comes after the death of a 21-year-old man who became ill at The Cause in London. There have been numerous instances of potentially harmful pills on the market since clubbing returned to England in July.
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Drug harm reduction organisation The Loop have issued warnings about dangerous pills going around the UK at the moment. The UK’s MDMA shortage, in combination with post-Brexit transit issues, have caused an increase in fake and dangerous pills and MDMA powder in the UK.
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In response to the incident at the Warehouse Project, The Loop posted an infographic containing further details of the substances found in ‘Louis Vuitton’ pills which were reportedly bought in Manchester.
The infographic states that multiple grey and beige pills, tested at Parklife festival, reportedly bought in Manchester, were found to contain mephedrone (3-MMC).
3-MMC is a cathinone, similar to mephedrone (4-MMC), with stronger euphoric and weaker stimulant effects.
The drug harm reduction group did not confirm whether this pill was related to the incident at the Warehouse Project.
Read this next: Experts warn of fake MDMA circulating in Manchester
A spokesperson from The Warehouse Project said: "We are devastated and our condolences are with the individual's family and friends.
"We are working closely with the Greater Manchester authorities to help with inquiries at this stage."
Police are appealing for anyone with information or mobile phone footage to get in touch on LiveChat on the GMP website, or by calling 0161 846 4409 quoting log 583 of September 25.
You can get more information on drug safety and testing on The Loop's website. They have also provided a helpful graphic on keeping yourself safe while taking MDMA below.
Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter