Frog poison detox 'claims first British victim'

Kambo is a drug made from dried poisonous skin secretions of an Amazonian tree frog. It is traditionally used in South American purging and fertility ceremonies. A British man died after participating in a cleansing ceremony at a flat in Leicester, where he was described as a wellbeing coach and cancer survivor. The treatment is banned in several countries, including Brazil and Chile, but can be bought legally in the UK. Its popularity is increasing across Europe, where it is marketed as a wellbeing aid. Police were called after a man became unwell at the property and later died in hospital. A suspect was arrested on suspicion of administering poison and released on bail.

"The Amazonian treatment is made from the dried poisonous skin secretions of the giant leaf frog. It is banned from sale in several countries, including Brazil and Chile, but can be bought legally in the UK. Its popularity is growing across Europe, where it is sold as a wellbeing aid that offers "a life-changing experience"."

"Kristian Trend (40) is thought to be the first British victim of the drug known as Kambo, which is traditionally used in "purging" and fertility ceremonies in South America. It is believed that Mr Trend, a wellbeing coach and cancer survivor, collapsed after taking part in a "cleansing" ceremony at a flat in Leicester last month."

"Angie, Mr Trend's mother, has told The Telegraph she wants the alternative medicine to be banned. "He was going to cleanse himself, that's what he said to me," she said. "He was very spiritual. He took a lot of vitamins. But I don't know what happened. It was his birthday the week after and I'd bought all these presents.""

"Leicestershire Police were called to reports that a man had been "taken unwell" at a property in the city's Clarendon Park area on April 11, but that he later died in hospital. Shortly after the incident, a 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison and has since been released on bail."

Read at Irish Independent