Police investigating the drug-related deaths of four young people, including three university students in Newcastle, have arrested 10 people, the Northumbria force said.
The investigation began following the deaths of two 18-year-old women and two men, aged 18 and 21, who were all found unresponsive at addresses over the weekend.
Northumbria Police said it received the first report at 6.05am on Saturday of an 18-year-old woman, who was a student at Newcastle University, found unresponsive at a property in Richardson Road.
It is believed she took a quantity of ketamine and was pronounced dead at the scene.
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying a Class B drug.
At around 3.50pm on Saturday, officers were called to Coach Road Estate in Washington following reports of an 18-year-old man, who was not a student, taking MDMA and falling ill. He died a short time later.
Seven people have been arrested in connection with this incident and have been released under investigation.
On Sunday morning , a 21-year-old male student at Northumbria University was taken ill at an address in Melbourne Street, Newcastle, after he was suspected to have taken MDMA.
He was taken to hospital but died and a 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs.
At around 1.10pm on Sunday police were called back to the same address in Richardson Road where another 18-year-old woman had died.
Officers believe ketamine had been in the property and an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.
Northumbria Police have also confirmed they carried out a number of consent-based room searches at student accommodation with the force’s drugs dogs, in collaboration with student well being teams at Newcastle University and further patrols will be carried out on Monday.
Chief Inspector Steve Wykes, of Northumbria Police, said: “This weekend we have seen the tragic loss of four young lives and our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of those who have sadly died.
“Although our investigations are at an early stage and we continue to establish the circumstances around these tragedies, we want to reiterate our warning to people against taking drugs for recreational use.
“The consequences could cost you your life.
"We will continue to work with both universities and will be increasing our patrols in the areas where these tragedies have occurred.”
Anyone who has information about the drugs should still contact Northumbria Police on 101.
