HEROIN contaminated with botulism is being sold by a Glasgow dealer who buried a stash before he was jailed for drugs offences then dug it up when he was released.

 

The toxin which has been linked with the death of at least one addict this month is commonly found in soil.

Botulism is a potentially fatal illness which can cause paralysis of the arms, legs and the muscles that control breathing.

The Evening Times has learned that the east end dealer supplying the drug was released from prison recently and dug up his stash.

It is understood he may not be aware that he is supplying heroin that has been contaminated.

A senior source at an organisation which works with addicts in Glasgow said: "The intelligence is telling us it's coming out of the east end of Glasgow. We know the victims have scored it in the Calton.

"The dealer we suspect it's coming from has just finished a three or four year sentence for drugs offences.

"He's had heroin in the house and had heroin buried. While the heroin has been buried it's been contaminated.

"He's been jailed for three or four years and not told anyone about the stash. He's come out, dug it up and he's putting it out.

"The dealer probably doesn't even know the stuff he has dug up is contaminated with botulism.

"If he knew he'd probably stop selling it. No dealer wants to kill the clientele. They want them back as repeat customers."

It is feared the contaminated batch could have been cut into more than 700 smaller amounts sold on the street as 'tenner bags'.

The senior source, who asked not to be named, said: "We think he's got a few ounces. It depends how he's cutting it but traditionally you'd get about 240 tenner bags from an ounce.

"I don't think this is the end of it yet. I think we'll get other cases before it ties off.

"He could have sold it on to others in larger quantities which would explain the cases outside Glasgow."

Addicts who inject into muscle or miss a vein are most at risk of contracting botulism from the contaminated heroin, according to the source, who added: "Either they've missed the vein and injected it into the skin, or they're muscle popping it because they can't get a vein.

"Botulism mutates when it's starved of oxygen. If you put it directly into the veins where there's oxygen in the blood, it won't be able to mutate.

"Most people don't know they've got it until it's too late."

Drugs charity the Scottish Drugs Forum has produced a card which advises addicts about the symptoms of botulism.

Director David Liddell said: "It is important that people who use heroin are aware that it may be contaminated with the bacteria that causes botulism.

"The postcard gives people who use heroin advice on how to reduce the risk of contracting botulism. It also details what the symptoms of botulism are.

"It is essential that people who use heroin seek medical support should they experience any of the symptoms mentioned. Left untreated botulism can lead to death."

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde also issued a warning to addicts after the announcement of another two cases yesterday.

One of the patients is from the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area while one is from the Lanarkshire area.

This takes the total number of cases currently in Glasgow hospitals to four.

Five cases were reported earlier this month. One patient was discharged after treatment but a woman in Ayrshire died.

Four patients remain in Glasgow hospitals, three from the Glasgow area and one from Lanarkshire.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire, Police Scotland and Health Protection Scotland are investigating.

Dr Catriona Milocević, NHS Greater Glasgow Consultant in Public Heath Medicine, said: "I urge all drug injecting heroin users to be extremely alert and to seek urgent medical attention from accident and emergency if they experience any early symptoms such as blurred or double vision, difficulty in swallowing and speaking and/or inflammation at the injection site.

"It is important for injecting drug users to engage with the wide range of services we offer designed to help them tackle their addictions. However for those who continue to inject it is extremely important that they seek urgent medical help if they show these early symptoms.

"Heroin users should avoid injecting heroin into their muscles. Injecting heroin into a vein or smoking can reduce the risk of botulism, although not using heroin at all is by far the best course of action."

A spokesman for Police Scotland added: "We are aware and enquiries are continuing".