Appeal after pharmacy drugs theft

Police have warned of the danger of the drug

Police and health chiefs have issued a warning after a potentially fatal quantity of drugs was stolen.

Two plastic tubs of powder methadone were taken from a pharmacy in the north of Edinburgh last week.

Health board NHS Lothian warned that if the contents of one of the containers was consumed it could kill.

Lothian and Borders Police described the substance as "dangerous" and urged anyone who knows about the theft to come forward.

Police said the tubs, which are about two inches high and an inch in diameter, were stolen at some point between 31 October and 3 November.

They are grey with a white plastic top and a white label on the front with blue writing.

'Dangerous drug'

The label says: Controlled Drug, Methadone Powder, Methadone Hydrochloride PH.EUR Powder 25 grms.

Dr Charles Swainson, medical director of NHS Lothian, said: "This drug is extremely dangerous and if anyone finds it, I would urge them to contact the police immediately.

"NHS Lothian is working closely with the police to ascertain how this dangerous drug got into the community."

A police spokesman said: "We would urge anyone who might know anything about the theft or comes across the tubs to contact police immediately."