Sussex university suspends filmed student drug dealer

The dealer, who called himself Louis, handed over two bags of mephedrone

A student secretly filmed selling the banned Class B drug mephedrone to an undercover BBC reporter has been suspended by the University of Sussex.

The journalist purchased two grams of the drug for £55 from the dealer, known as Louis, on the university campus.

Prof Michael Farthing, vice-chancellor of the university, said: "Students must obey the rules of the land on campus."

Sussex Police said they had begun an investigation and were "actively looking" for the student.

The university does not tolerate drug-dealing or illegal drug-use on campus Prof Michael Farthing, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sussex

When the dealer was approached by the BBC after the sale, he said: "If this is the problem it causes I'll definitely get rid of it [the drug]."

He said he knew mephedrone was illegal and could not explain his actions.

Prof Farthing said: "The university does not tolerate drug-dealing or illegal drug-use on campus.

"We took swift action in relation to this student as soon as we were made aware of the situation."

He said the issue of criminal responsibility was one for the police.

'Palpitations and vomiting'

"But, once any police action is completed, we would then use our own disciplinary processes to take whatever additional action is appropriate.

Prof Farthing added. "We generally have a very safe campus. There is no evidence that drugs are any greater problem for Sussex than elsewhere in the UK."

Mephedrone was made illegal on 16 April on the advice of the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs.

The laboratory-produced drug mephedrone has a similar effect to amphetamines, ecstasy or cocaine, and can cause causes nausea, palpitations and vomiting.

It can also cause anxiety and paranoia and carries a risk of overstimulating the heart and circulation, and overstimulating the nervous system to cause fits.

The drug has been linked to at least 22 deaths, but there has been no conclusive scientific proof yet that it has been the cause of any of them.

Anyone found carrying Mephedrone could face up to five years' imprisonment, while dealers could receive up to 14 years.