British police are currently conducting an investigation into the deaths of 88 individuals in the U.K. who had purchased products from Canadian websites that are believed to offer lethal substances to those at risk of self-harm, announced the National Crime Agency (NCA) on Friday. This inquiry is part of a larger international investigation that was initiated following the arrest of Kenneth Law in Canada, who has been charged with two counts of counseling and aiding suicide.

According to Canadian authorities, Law, who hails from the Toronto area, utilized a series of websites to market and sell sodium nitrite, a substance commonly used for preserving meats, but can prove fatal if ingested. It is suspected that Law dispatched at least 1,200 packages to over 40 countries, leading to investigations being launched by law enforcement agencies in the United States, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. Within the U.K., the NCA has managed to identify 232 individuals who had purchased products from these websites over the course of two years up until April, of which 88 individuals have unfortunately passed away. Although the NCA is currently investigating whether any criminal offenses have been committed in the U.K., it is important to note that at this early stage, there are no confirmed connections between the purchased items and the cause of death in any of these cases.

Expressing their condolences, Deputy Director Craig Turner of the National Crime Agency stated, "Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of those who have died. They are being supported by specially trained officers from police forces." It is crucial to address and mitigate the risks associated with self-harm, especially considering that 5,583 suicides were reported in England and Wales in 2021, with a rate of 10.7 deaths per 100,000 individuals according to U.K. government statistics.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide last year. As this investigation evolves, it is expected that authorities will closely cooperate and share information to prevent any further tragic events and provide support to those affected by this distressing situation.