SALES of a powerful drug known by the street name 'China White' are taking place in Newport, Gwent Police has warned.

Gwent Police are acting after increased reports of sales and use of the fentanyl-based substance.

Investigations have revealed sales taking place in the city centre and the Pill area.

The class-A synthetic drug - light brown in colour - is upwards of 100 times more potent than street heroin and officers have found it being sold in its place with users unaware.

Detective Inspector Stuart Crocker, of Gwent Police, said: "We have seen a rise in cases of this drug being used in the Newport area in recent months, and it is concerning.

"Fentanyl, as a toxic substance, has been linked with an increase in drug deaths elsewhere in the UK. Gwent Police are taking these reports extremely seriously and would urge any member of the public - particularly heroin users - to be aware of the added danger posed by China White."

Drug dealers putting fentanyl in heroin can be handed more substantial sentences in court as guidelines make it clear that adding toxic cutting agents to drugs is deemed an 'aggravating' feature.

A drug dealer who used the dark web to supply customers – including four that later died – with fentanyl was jailed for eight years earlier this year.

South Wales Argus:

Kyle Enos, 25, of Newport, south Wales, sold the drug to 168 people in the UK, Europe and the US between May 2016 and May 2017.

If you have information about the illegal supply of drugs, contact Gwent Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.