On Friday afternoon, March 14, the police received a report that acquaintances of the man were unable to contact him. Alarmed officers responded and found the lifeless body of the man in his apartment. Pills were also found that initially appeared to be 80mg tablets of the painkiller oxycodone, purchased online.
The Netherlands Forensic Institute has now established that these are counterfeit oxycodone pills containing life-threatening isotonitazepyne. They contain no oxycodone. The investigation into the cause of death of the man is still ongoing, but due to the discovery of the substance isotonitazepyne in the pills, the Trimbos Institute has issued a warning that counterfeit oxycodone is in circulation. More information about this warning can be found here.
The investigation team is looking into the death of the man and is also examining the origin of this counterfeit oxycodone. The police urges anyone with information that could be related to the mans death and/or the trade in these specific life-threatening pills to contact them. This can be done via 0900-8844 and the form below. Anonymous reporting is possible via Meld Misdaad Anoniem at 0800-7000. Please use the following registration number: 2025061670.
More information about the dangers of online ordered (pain) medication can be found here.