Authorities are urging people not to take illegal drugs on nights out following the death of a man in London over the weekend and a number of recent warnings about a “dangerous” batch of blue “Tesla” ecstasy pills in circulation across England.
A 21-year-old man died and two others were taken to hospital after becoming ill at the Cause nightclub on Ashley Road in Tottenham, north London, early on Saturday morning. Police said all three had taken illegal drugs.
Following the death, Bristol City Council issued a warning and said that one person had died and 20 more had been admitted to hospital for treatment due to recreational drugs over the weekend of 23 July – the first weekend after “freedom day” when many nightclubs reopened after months of lockdown.
“There are dangerously high-strength recreational drugs in circulation,” the council said in a statement. “Be aware of the risks.”
The club said the blue pills are emblazoned with the Tesla electric car logo. It is not yet clear if there is a direct link between the Tesla pills and the hospitalisations and deaths in Bristol and London.
Officers in the capital said a post-mortem into the 21-year-old man’s death has yet to be scheduled.
In June, police in Manchester issued similar warnings about a batch of blue pills with the Tesla logo printed on them.
Superintendent Simon Crick, who is in charge of policing for the Tottenham area, said: “There is no safe way of taking illegal drugs, however, the incidents overnight have caused us particular concern.
“We urge anyone who bought drugs in or around the nightclub to dispose of these substances as soon as possible.”
