THE stark danger of buying medication over the internet has been highlighted by Pembrokeshire Coroner Mark Layton after the death of a Pembroke Dock woman.

The body of Samanther Rebecca Smith, 40, was discovered by her brother on July 25 at her Hamilton Court address after she had taken a cocktail of drugs, Pembrokeshire Coroner’s Court heard yesterday (Thursday).

Coroner’s Officer for Dyfed-Powys Police Jeremy Davies said Cardiff-born Miss Smith, a regular user of drugs and a former heroin addict, had numerous health conditions, and had suffered two heart attacks in recent years.

The inquest heard Miss Smith had purchased a variety of medication through the internet and local suppliers prior to her death.

After taking the drugs on July 24, Miss Smith complained to her brother Allan that she was in pain.

He checked on her the following morning at 7am and, having failed to rouse her, dialled 999.

Paramedics arrived shortly afterwards, but Miss Smith was already dead.

The post-mortem report indicated a cocktail of drugs used in a variety of treatments in her blood, including: Buprenorphine, Olanzapine, Diazapam, Desmethyldiazepam, Temazepam, Oxazepam, and Pregabalin, as well as ibuprofen, nicotine and caffeine, and possible evidence of a low level of cannabis.

It concluded: “The 40-year-old lady died as a result of a combined level of drugs,” adding: “After long-term drug use she needed a much lower level to suffer a toxicological effect.”

Pembrokeshire HM Coroner Mark Layton concluded the death as drug-related.

“Miss Smith had a history of drug dependency. She’s taken a variety of drugs which, in combination, have caused her death.

“This is another death from drugs acquired over the internet.

“I urge everybody not to consider taking these drugs.”