Newcastle 2C-I drugs alert: Three men arrested
Three men have been arrested after six people needed hospital treatment for taking an illegal hallucinogenic drug.
One man remains in a critical condition after the group, aged 19 - 22, fell ill when they took the substance 2C-I at a house in the Jesmond area of Newcastle.
The emergency services were called to the terraced house in Ripon Gardens early on Friday. Police said the drug was bought on the internet.
Two men aged 23 and a 20-year-old have been arrested and bailed.
Five men who were treated at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary have now been discharged, but a sixth is critically ill, Northumbria Police said.
A force spokesman said: "Inquiries to establish exactly what happened continue, with officers warning people about the dangers of taking any illegal drugs, especially those bought over the internet."
Detectives said some of those taken ill were students at Newcastle University.
The university has now circulated a warning about the drug via an email to students.
The drug, related to ecstasy, often comes in purple capsules and is also known as Bromo, Nexus, CB, Performax, Spectrum, Venus, Erox and Cloud Nine.
The Class A substance can also be sold as small pills and is said to be particularly dangerous when mixed with other drugs or alcohol.