2023-08-26 00:00:01
United Kingdom
Extensive investigation into the suspicious deaths of 88 people
British police are investigating the deaths of 88 people who purchased a substance that might aid suicide on Canadian websites.
Posted26 August 2023, 02:00
Several investigations are also being carried out in the United States, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, according to British media. (Pretext image)
The British crime control agency, the NCA, announced on Friday that it was investigating the deaths in the United Kingdom of 88 people who had purchased a substance that can help suicide on Canadian websites.
“The NCA has decided to carry out an investigation into potential criminal offenses committed in the United Kingdom. This operation is in progress”, announced the agency. The NCA received reports in April that several people in the UK had purchased the chemical compound from these sites, UK media reports.
In total, investigators identified 232 buyers over a two-year period through April. The NCA announced that 88 of them had died. “At present, there is no confirmed link between the (substances) purchased on the sites and the cause of death” of these people, however specified the agency. This announcement comes following the arrest on May 2 in Canada of a 57-year-old man, Kenneth Law, charged with “advising or assisting in the suicide” of two people, according to local authorities.
1200 parcels in more than 40 countries
The investigation began in late March following the suspicious death of an adult following consuming a substance commonly used as a food additive and commonly found in processed meats, police in the Peel, Toronto area, said. Kenneth Law is accused of using several online sites to “distribute and market” this substance targeting “people at risk of self-harm”.
“Intentional consumption of certain amounts of this substance can reduce oxygen levels, interfere with breathing and lead to death,” police said in a statement. Canadian authorities believe he sent at least 1,200 packages to more than 40 countries, with it unknown how many contained the toxic substance.
Kenneth Law briefly appeared in Brompton Court on Friday and is due back on September 8, according to local media. He remains in detention. Several investigations are also being carried out in the United States, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, according to British media.
(AFP)
1693013492
#United #Kingdom #Extensive #investigation #suspicious #deaths #people
