German police warn against 'Blue Punisher' ecstasy pills after death of two teenagers

German police have issued a warning over the circulation of a potentially deadly 'Blue Punisher' ecstasy pill after the deaths of two teenage girls were linked to the drug.

Police in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania said a 13-year-old girl from the town of Altentreptow died in hospital after taking one of the blue pills.

The pill features a skull logo associated with the Marvel comic book character The Punisher.

Two other teenagers, ages 14 and 15, were also hospitalized after using drugs, police said. A 37-year-old German man was arrested in connection with the girl's death.

It comes as authorities in the neighboring state of Brandenburg continue to investigate the death of a 15-year-old girl who died over the weekend in the town of Rathenow after a suspected drug overdose.

Prosecutors say an autopsy will determine whether she also died after using drugs.

“We warn against any use of narcotics, but in particular against the dangerous 'Blue Punisher' pill,” Neubrandenburg police said in a statement. “These pills contain a very high dose of (chemical) MDMA.”

He adds that even half a pill in circulation in the region could cause life-threatening illnesses.

A total of 67 deaths were recorded from MDMA in 2021 in England and Wales, according to the most recently published figures from Statista. This is a decrease from the previous year's figure of 82.

Drug charities have already warned that 'super-potent MDMA' pills are becoming more widespread in Europe due to supply chain problems. Pills containing 250mg of MDMA, more than three times the average dose, have been recovered at UK festivals.

The Home Office was criticized last week by major festival organizers for allegedly blocking on-site drug testing at music festivals, which aims to reduce the harm of ecstasy and drug use. other drugs.

Parklife festival, in Manchester, said it was unable to test confiscated pills for the first time since 2014 because the Home Office claimed they had to apply for a special license, reported the Guardian.

The drugs are tested in an on-site booth, and “push notifications” are sent to festival-goers if tests show they are considered a health threat.