Warning over super-strength blue ‘punisher’ ecstasy tablets after 19-year-old’s death

Police are warning of the dangers of a type of ecstasy pill known as the “punisher” after the sudden death of a 19-year-old.

Harley Girven, also known as Harley Mason, was found dead by police at his flat in Pomona Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, on Saturday.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said that detectives were treating the death of Girven, who was a wheelchair user, as “unexplained”.

The “punisher” pill, a blue triangular tablet, is said to be three times stronger than other ecstasy tablets.

The spokesman said two other people were in the flat where the teen died when police and ambulance staff arrived.

The pair, a 16-year-old girl from East Cowes and a 17-year-old boy from Newport, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.

They have since been released under investigation and police said their arrests were not directly connected with the death.

A Home Office post-mortem examination is to be carried out on Wednesday.

Mr Girven’s family have paid tribute to their “boy Harley”.

“A fun and lovable son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to so many. We will remember you for your sharp sense of humour and unique take on the world, that sought to challenge you in so many ways, that others may never know,” they said in a statement.

“A courageous man with love in your heart, who will always be so much to so many.

“Now free of your pain, run free from your wheels, to your brother Mikey, who we all know will be waiting. You will be forever in our hearts.”

Meanwhile, in the early hours of Sunday morning, emergency services dashed to a house in Stratford-upon-Avon, where five teenagers had taken a batch of MDMA.

One of the five, a 17-year-old boy, went into cardiac arrest and died later in hospital.

The remaining four were also taken to hospital, but have since been discharged.

A 17-year-old boy from Stratford-upon-Avon has been arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply – but has been released under investigation.

Another boy of the same age, from Bidford-on-Avon, has been arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and remains in police custody.

Warwickshire Police are now warning others of the dangers of taking ecstasy.

Detective inspector Lisa Sears said: “At this time we are keeping an open mind as to whether this is a bad batch of drugs or an overdose.

“While we are investigating to establish how the boy died we would urge local drug users to be very cautious.

“While we can’t yet confirm cause of death, we would like to remind people of the dangers of taking drugs.

“There is no safe way of taking drugs, and no way of knowing exactly what you are putting into your body and whether it is safe.”

Additional reporting by the Associated Press