Drug deaths linked to toxic ecstasy batch in Melbourne
UPDATE: POLICE say a toxic batch of MDMA has claimed the lives of three people after it emerged 20 clubbers were taken to hospital after taking the drug in Chapel Street nightclubs over the weekend.
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POLICE say a toxic batch of MDMA has claimed the lives of three people.
Up to 20 clubbers were taken to hospital after taking the dodgy batch of drugs in Chapel Street nightclubs over the weekend, including five people who overdosed at popular nightclub Revolver.
Police told a court today they believe there have been three deaths from the toxic batch of MDMA.
French national Sebastien Verger-Giambelluco has been charged with trafficking and possession of MDMA, and possessing proceeds of crime.
He appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court where he was granted bail on strict conditions.
Police told the court they could only link the 30-year-old man to one non-fatal incident.
In that case Mr Verger-Giambelluco is alleged to have sold a quantity of MDMA to a woman who gave it to a friend who later overdosed.
In granting bail, magistrate Andrew Capell said the evidence linking Mr Verger-Giambelluco to the overdose was “tenuous”.
Police opposed bail saying they feared for public safety amid concerns Mr Verger-Giambelluco would “continue to sell drugs of the toxic quality that have already been sold”.
The court heard five people were taken to hospital after overdosing at Revolver.
They were among at least 20 people taken to hospital because of overdoses including the three who died.
Investigators said yesterday they believe a 30-year-old man who died in Elwood on Friday night may have taken drugs from the batch.
The youngest victim, a 17-year-old boy, is currently at The Alfred in a critical but stable condition after ingesting the drugs.
Mr Verger-Giambelluco, a waiter, must report to police three times a week and cannot leave Victoria under any circumstance.
He has also been forced to surrender his passport.
More to come.
