Tourist Died From Snorting Heroin

According to Skynews, two British tourists have died in the Netherlands after snorting what is believed to have been white heroin sold to them as cocaine.
The men, aged 20 and 21, were found in an Amsterdam hotel room on Tuesday. They have not been named.

The Foreign Office is liaising with Dutch authorities and is "providing consular assistance to the family", a spokesman said.

Police spokesman Rob van der Veen said the bodies of the two men, both from England, were found next to traces of a white powder.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out later this week to confirm the time and cause of their deaths.

"We did a quick test to find out what kind of powder it was," said Mr van der Veen. "It wasn't cocaine it was an opiate - in this case, white heroin. 

"We took the sample to the Dutch forensic institute and they found out that the contents of this material is the same as that we already seized in other cases where people got sick." 

He said investigators believe the men were targeted by the same street dealer, or ring of dealers, involved in the death of another Briton last month.

Authorities have pleaded with tourists to steer clear of street pushers and have put up warning signs in public places and distributed flyers at hotels and hostels. 

The flyers warn: "In the last couple of weeks several tourists were hospitalised with severe health problems after using cocaine bought on the street.

"Research has revealed that the cocaine used was not cocaine but white heroin."

They also remind visitors that in Amsterdam "you won't be arrested for taking drugs".