Greater than 80 deaths in UK probed after ‘poison vendor’ arrested in Canada

An investigation has been launched into the deaths of 88 folks within the UK who purchased merchandise from Canada-based web sites that had been promoting substances to help with suicide.

It comes after Canadian Kenneth Law, 57, was arrested in Ontario and charged with two counts of counselling and aiding suicide after allegedly promoting a deadly substance to folks the world over. It has been reported that Law is accused of sending 1,200 packages to 40 nations and is now additionally being investigated by police within the United States, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) obtained info in April suggesting that a lot of folks within the UK had bought merchandise from Canada-based web sites that had been promoting substances to help with suicide, which it handed on to police forces. In whole, 232 people within the UK had been recognized as having bought merchandise from the web sites in a two-year interval as much as April 2023.

The NCA mentioned that 88 of these folks have died.  The legislation enforcement company added that “at this early stage there are no confirmed links between the items purchased from the websites and cause of death in any of these cases”.

National Crime Agency deputy director, Craig Turner, mentioned: “Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of those who have died. They are being supported by specially trained officers from police forces.

“In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the NCA has taken the decision to conduct an investigation into potential criminal offences committed in the UK. This operation is underway.”

•  Anyone who wants help can name Samaritans freed from cost on 116 123, electronic mail jo@samaritans.org, or go to the Samaritans web site.