Cardiff University student, 18, is second person in city to die ‘after taking ketamine’

An 18-year-old Cardiff University student has died after taking drugs that police suspect to include ketamine.  

Police have issued a drug warning after she and a 25-year-old man died after taking drugs in the city. 

Emergency services were called to Llys Talybont in Cathays where the female student was found collapsed by flatmates at around 12.40am on Saturday.

She was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where she has died last night. 

A 23-year-old Cardiff man has been charged with drugs offences and is due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court today.

South Wales Police issued a warning and launched an investigation into supply of Ketamine – a class B drug – after a 25-year-old man has died and a woman is fighting for her life in Cardiff (stock picture)

Lanoi Lidell, from Pentwyn, is charged with offering to supply ketamine and cocaine on November 15, 2020, offering to supply ketamine and MDMA between October 31 and November 9, 2020, and supplying MDMA and supplying ketamine.  

It is believed the deaths of the two young adults were linked to ketamine and South Wales Police said the drugs ‘may contain a cocktail of toxic ingredients’.  

In a statement, a spokesperson for the force said: ‘Users of controlled drugs should be aware that they can never be 100% sure of exactly what they are taking.

‘These drugs are illegal and there is every possibility that they may contain a cocktail of toxic ingredients.

Emergency services were called to halls at Llys Talybont in Cathays (pictured) where the female student was found collapsed by flatmates at around 12.40am on Saturday 

‘The Wales Drug and Alcohol helpline – 0800 6 33 55 88 – provides a free and bilingual single point of contact for anyone wanting further information or help relating to drugs or alcohol.’ 

A Cardiff University spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sad death of one of our students. We are in contact with their next of kin and our thoughts and sympathies are with them at this extremely difficult and challenging time. 

‘Our Student Support and Wellbeing service is in touch with those students most closely impacted to offer advice and support. 

‘The circumstances around the tragic death are still a matter of an active and on-going police investigation. We are working closely with South Wales Police to assist them in any way we can. At this stage, it would be inappropriate to offer further comment.’ 

Police in Northumbria issued a similar warning last month when four young adults died in the space of 48 hours in suspected drug incidents.   

A large-scale investigation was launched and 10 people were arrested.