Woman charged over 'heroin-linked' deaths in Lancashire
A woman has been charged with drugs offences and 11 people have been arrested, as police investigate the deaths of three men in Lancashire.
The men, aged 52, 36, and 32, were found in Burnley, Colne and Nelson on Friday night and Saturday morning.
Police said a batch of strong heroin being sold on the streets of Lancashire may have caused their deaths.
A 40-year-old woman from Burnley has been charged with possession of heroin with intent to supply.
She is also charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin, possession of cannabis and possession of a class C drug.
She appeared before Burnley Magistrates on Monday and was remanded in custody.
Eleven other people have been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.
Robin Ferguson, 53, Emlyn Hodgkinson, 36, and Zaheer Chaudrey, 32, were found at separate addresses between 2315 GMT on Friday and 0020 GMT on Saturday.
Post-mortem examinations have not yet been carried out.
Mr Ferguson was found at a house in Tennis Street, Burnley, at 2315 and 20 minutes later the body of Mr Hodgkinson was discovered by officers at Oak Street, Colne.
At about 0020 GMT on Saturday, the body of Mr Chaudrey was discovered at a house in Eagle Street, Nelson.
Lancashire Police are urging anyone who uses heroin to contact their local drug support agency.
Det Ch Insp Stuart Dixon, of Lancashire Police, said: "There could be an increased risk in taking stronger heroin and users should seek help and advice if concerned."