DRUG addicts have been warned to be vigilant after it has emerged dealers could be selling potentially dangerous animal medication as illegal substances.
Police have issued the caution after £150 worth of dog worming and dog flea tablets were stolen from a Darlington supermarket over the weekend.
The tablets contain 500mg of the substance nitroscanate, which in that quantity is, if ingested, likely to cause a person serious harm which would require hospital treatment.
Police are concerned the tablets have been stolen for drug dealers who either want sell them under the pretence they are another substance, or use them to cut other drugs with.
As well as warning drug users to be careful, they also appealed for any information about the tablets’ whereabouts.
Inspector Steve Steen told The Northern Echo: “These tablets are obviously not meant for human consumption.
“If anyone comes across someone trying to sell them tablets which they suspect to be flea or dog worming tablets, I would urge them not to buy them and to report the incident to the police.”
The tablets were stolen from Sainsbury’s, in Victoria Road, at some point over the weekend.
Police are now working to track down the tablets, described as a “huge quantity” by policy.
Insp Steen said the theft of this amount of pet medication was unusual as drugs were more commonly cut with cheap bulking agents, such as flour or icing sugar.
“Although we are not aware of anyone being admitted to hospital yet with suspected poisoning from this substance, when items of this nature are stolen in large quantities, it is usually related to the supply of drugs.
“Often, substances such as this are used to cut illegal drugs, and sometimes they are sold in tablet form.
“Potentially, this substance could cause serious harm. It is very dangerous for humans, with medical advisors telling us one tablet would ensure an adult would become seriously ill and have to be hospitalised.”
Anyone who has any information about the tablets is asked to contact Darlington police on 0345-60-60-365.
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