Killer ecstasy hits Penticton streets

by Wayne Moore - Castanet May 8, 2012 / 2:31 pm

A batch of deadly ecstacy pills may have made their way to the Okanagan. RCMP in Penticton say information has surfaced that a batch of ecstasy, believed to be responsible for several deaths on the Lower Mainland and in Calgary, has allegedly arrived in Penticton. Sgt. Rick Dellebuur says the pills are currently being sold on the streets. "Penticton RCMP are advising the public not to consume any pill or powder substance that has been obtained through illicit sources that may, or may not be ecstasy," says Dellebuur. The deadly pills are laced with PMMA, or paramethoxymetamphetamine. PMMA was found in five people who died in Calgary this past winter. Nearly two dozen people have died in BC since the beginning of 2011 after taking the 'party drug.' At least six of those people had PMMA in their systems. While the pills have apparently hit the streets in Penticton there have been no reports of the killer ecstasy in Kelowna or Vernon. However, that doesn't mean people shouldn't be cautious. Vernon RCMP spokesman, Gord Molendyk says they always advise people to be aware of street level drugs. "You can't predict what you are getting," says Molendyk. "I do not believe for one second that people who produce these drugs have enough of a conscience to say 'one or two people have died, we should stop producing this stuff'." Kelowna RCMP Cst. Kris Clark, says he wouldn't be surprised if the bad ecstasy pills have also hit Kelowna. Health officials say PMMA is much more toxic than MDMA (ecstasy's main ingredient) and can overheat the body, leading to brain and organ damage.