A drugs warning has been issued by experts in Manchester over green-coloured 'Rolex' ecstasy tablets, it's been revealed.
The Manchester Drug, Analysis and Knowledge Exchange - known by the acronym MANDRAKE - shared details of the alert on its social media platforms and an image of the tablets. They said tablets had been tested and found to contain dipentylone, which is said to be a synthetic cathinone, a relation to the amphetamine family of drugs.
"If unwell, please seek medical attention," said MANDRAKE. The experts - who are based in Manchester - said the light green-coloured tablets had been 'circulating' in the city and were embossed with the words 'Rolex', with the watch brand's crown logo stamped on the other side.
They said the contents of 'multiple' tablets were tested before the alert on Twitter was issued. MANDRAKE went on to say not much was known about dipentylone, but that it's believed to be 'less potent' than methamphetamine. Its affects, the experts added, were more like that of cocaine.
The scientists went on to point readers to further advice and studies.
MANDRAKE is a licenced scientific resource, based at Manchester Metropolitan University, which works in partnership with key stakeholders to facilitate rapid, robust and cost-effective chemical analysis for both harm-reduction and intelligence sharing. It's the first publicly-funded permanent city centre based testing and harm reduction facility and has been operating since 2016.
Two laboratories are in operation, with an aim to spread awareness and reduce harm to people who take drugs. The Mandrake scheme is led by Dr Oliver Sutcliffe of Manchester Metropolitan University, alongside Warehouse Project boss Sacha Lord and GMP.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Violent thug kicked, punched and strangled girlfriend saying he was sick of her "nagging" and she should wash his clothes and cook his tea
- Main road and M60 slip shut due to 'police incident'
- Mum slashed with 'zombie' knife by stranger on first night out after giving birth
- Manchester Airport bosses vow to put summer of chaos 'behind us
- Paramedics forced to pay '£6k-a-month for food and drinks van' as they queue hours outside hospitals unable to leave patients, staff say
