The ‘Blue Punisher‘, a new form of ecstasy pill, has been linked to the deaths of two adolescent females in Germany.
After taking the medication, a 13-year-old girl from Altentreptow in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg Western Pomerania passed away in a hospital on Monday.
After taking it and being discovered on the ground, two further youths, 14 and 15, were admitted to the hospital.
A 37-year-old German has been detained in relation to the passing.
Police are also investigating the death of a girl aged 15 in Rathenow, in the neighbouring state of Brandenburg, who is suspected to have overdosed earlier this month.
An upcoming autopsy will confirm whether she also took the new pill.
The tablet features a skull logo associated with the Marvel comic book character The Punisher.
It is thought the triangular blue tablets can contain up to 2.5 times more MDMA – the psychoactive ingredient in ecstasy – than standard pills.
Neubrandenburg Police spokesperson Claudia Tupeit said in a statement: ‘A 13-year-old child died at the Klinikum Neubrandenburg following the intake of a Blue Punisher ecstasy pill.
‘Another teenager is in a very critical condition. Medical tests have confirmed that she had also consumed the dangerous drug which is nicknamed “Blue Punisher”.
‘We do warn from any consumption of synthetic drugs, especially the Blue Punisher pills which contain high doses of MDMA.
‘Regular consumption can cause irreversible brain damage.’
She added even half a pill could cause life-threatening illness.
Ms Tupeit said: ‘We believe that the pill has been distributed by dealers in the Neubrandenburg area.
‘They sell or give them away for free, especially to children and teenagers.’
A suspected drug dealer aged 29 was arrested on Wednesday after being found carrying 60 Blue Punisher tablets at Fusion Festival, an electronic music event in Lärz.
The interior minister of Mecklenburg Western Pomerania, Christian Pegel, said: ‘I urge all parents of the Neubrandenburg area to warn their children of the acute threat to life.’