British inquest confirms fake cocaine in Amsterdam deaths

A British inquest has confirmed that the two British tourists who died in Amsterdam after taking white heroin they thought was cocaine, died of drug related causes, the British newspaper North Devon Journal reports. The two friends, Bradly Price (20) and Shaun Brotherston (21), visited Amsterdam in November last year to celebrate Shaun's 21st birthday. Their bodies were found in their hotel room in the Apollo Museum on November 25th. Coroner Ian Arrow confirmed that the friends were spotted on surveillance cameras in the lobby of their hotel at 22:49 p.m. on November 22nd, the day that they arrived in Amsterdam. The Dutch police were called in around noon on November 25th after hotel police noticed a foul odor coming from the room. According to Arrow, the police found one man on the bed in a lifeless state with blood under his nose and the other man sitting bent forwards in a chair. The officers also found a grey tray with white powder and cards on it, as well as bottles of beer and spirits in the room. The police initially assumed that the white powder was cocaine, but a toxicology report later confirmed that it was morphine. The post mortem carried out by Dutch pathologist Dr. Biejering indicated that the cause of death was accidental drug heroin. The men had likely been dead for two or three days before they were found. Arrow also concluded that the two friends died a drug related death. There have been several similar cases in Amsterdam. A third tourist also lost died after taking white heroin, thinking it was cocaine. At least 17 other people had to receive medical attention. The three most recent victims were three Danish tourists on February 25th. Amsterdam's health authorities have taken action by putting up warning signs and leaving pamphlets in locations frequented by tourists, such as hostels and hotels. The Amsterdam police have launched a manhunt for the man suspected of dealing white heroin as cocaine.