POLICE are warning drug users that there could be a strong batch of heroin circulating in the Devizes area following the death of Richard Pegg.

Police are awaiting the results of a post mortem examination and toxicology tests but believe that Mr Pegg, who was 28, may have died of an overdose of heroin or alcohol or both. The police do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances.

Mr Pegg was pronounced dead at the flat of a friend in Mayenne Place, Devizes, on the evening of March 24.

His friend, who has not been named, called the emergency services after finding Mr Pegg unconscious.

Despite resuscitation efforts by paramedics Mr Pegg was pronounced dead at the scene by a police doctor.

Mr Pegg lived at Springers House, a supported housing complex in Rendells Court, Devizes. His family live on the Isle of Man.

DC Marcus Tawn of Devizes CID said: "We are awaiting the results of the post mortem and other tests but we think there may be some drug usage involved. We think Mr Pegg died of a drug/alcohol overdose.

"We are warning users of class A drugs that there may be a strong batch of heroin in the area."

An inquest into Mr Pegg's death was opened and adjourned yesterday.

The flat where Mr Pegg was found is owned by Sarsen Housing Association.

Residents in Mayenne Place said they believed that drug taking had been going on at the flat.

One said: "I have seen empty syringes in the communal hallway and I saw upon two men smoking pot."

A property in Mayenne Place was one of ten in the Devizes area raided by police in September 2002 as part of Operation Ardent, a police operation to disrupt the supply of class A drugs particularly heroin and crack cocaine. Six addresses in nearby Waiblingen Way were among those also raided.

As a result of the raids six men were sent to prison for a total of 18 and a half years. Police said they have arrested people for suspected drugs offences since Operation Ardent and say the level of drugs offences has been halved.