Man dies after taking contaminated synthetic drug in Birmingham

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 13:37 · Archive

Stephen Taylor, 46, died in hospital after collapsing from a contaminated batch of Black Mamba in Birmingham city centre.

Stephen Taylor collapsed in Birmingham city centre on 19 October after taking Black Mamba, a synthetic cannabinoid drug. He was admitted to intensive care but died in hospital on Saturday morning.

Black Mamba is a psychoactive drug that looks like cannabis but is cheaper and more potent. It was outlawed by the government in 2013 after being sold as a legal high in shops and post offices.

Stephen's sister, Dawn French, told media outlets that she believed the batch he used had been contaminated with something very dangerous that was putting lives at risk. She said multiple people had been admitted to hospital that week after taking the same batch, though only some required hospital treatment. She urged others not to risk their lives by taking street drugs.

West Midlands Police confirmed they arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs in connection with the incident. He was given conditional bail.

How it is being reported

• 'Contaminated' Black Mamba warning after man diesStephen Taylor collapsed in Birmingham city centre on Monday 19 October and later died in hospital.BBC Birmingham And Black Country · 26 Oct, 13:02
• Birmingham 'contaminated Mamba' tragedy as devastated sister pleads 'don't risk your lives'Stephen Taylor, 46, collapsed near by Pigeon Park and sadly died in the early hours of Saturday morningBirminghamLive · 26 Oct, 05:30

In this story: Stephen Taylor · Dawn French · Birmingham · West Midlands Police

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