EXCLUSIVE: British cops have been powerless to prosecute a man identified in Eastern Europe for selling a toxic chemical used in so-called 'online suicide kits' - but an international probe is now underway08:55, 30 Jun 2026An international probe has been launched into an online 'suicide kit' seller seller whose products have been linked to a spate of deaths in the UK, the Mirror understands.Scotland Yard officers say they identified a suspect in Eastern Europe who is believed to have supplied toxic substances to help people take their own lives.It follows at least five deaths in London and as many as 130 across the UK, including clinical psychologist Zara Afua Ampong-Appiah, 30, who combed the internet looking for the lethal chemical before she was found dead in her bed last year.The Metropolitan Police and National Crime Agency probed the vendor who uses a pro-suicide website to sell a toxic chemical. He is said to have supplied the same substance as Canadian Kenneth Law, 60, who is facing jail after he admitted 14 counts of aiding suicides in Canada.But, detectives said they have "not been able to bring a prosecution against an individual believed to be the source of the chemical linked to a number of deaths in London".The Metropolitan Police said "there is no longer an active, criminal investigation into the website where this chemical is being sold". But sources now say "foreign law enforcement agencies are understood to be investigating the source of the [chemical] that is being exported to a number of countries around the world".Pete Aitken, 63, whose daughter, Hannah, took her own life after buying a chemical from Malaysia, said more must be done to tackle the sale of poisons online. The 22-year-old, who had autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, had it shipped to the UK before committing suicide in.Pete, from Guildford, Surrey, said: "From my own experience, the only thing I can salvage from Hannah's death is the hope that other people's children will be protected or safeguarded."There needs to affective action taken. I think about Hannah every minute of every day and and it adds to the pain to know there's been no effective action."Ms Ampong-Appiah's mother Elly Oppong, 66, said her daughter's death in her home in Forest Gate, Newham, east London, "broke her heart".Elsewhere the Mirror told how mother-of-two Jane Colechin took her life after the toxic substance - which the Mirror is not naming - was delivered to her door via Royal Mail.The 44-year-old charity worker searched for the deadly chemical online, which she then had delivered to the home she shared with her partner in Forest Gate, East London.Chief Supt Sean Wilson of the Metropolitan Police said: “The Met has investigated a number of deaths which are believed to be linked to the voluntary and direct consumption of [the substance], ordered online from an individual believed to be based in Eastern Europe."We have worked closely with partners in policing, Border Force and government to investigate these deaths and prevent items from being delivered to vulnerable individuals in London and throughout the UK."Our work to protect and safeguard vulnerable individuals remains a top priority, as we continue to work with partners to identify harmful substances which are imported into the UK.”In May, Canadian chef Law, 60, entered the guilty pleas in an Ontario court as part of a deal with prosecutors. Authorities said he also sold about 1,200 packages of the toxic substances to recipients - who he met in online suicide forums - in 40 countries, roughly a quarter of which were sent to the UK.The charges all relate to Canadian victims - but families of British victims have said they were angry UK prosecutors would not charge Law over the deaths of 79 Britons, which authorities say are linked to products he supplied.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had agreed to the Canadian plea bargain on the basis Law's sentence take the British deaths into account.‌A letter from the CPS said Law would not face charges in the UK because he could challenge the extradition after being convicted of similar offences in Canada.Specialist CPS prosecutor Andrew Hudson said that including UK victims in the Canadian sentencing process was the "quickest and most effective route" to justice. Hudson said a successful extradition was "far from guaranteed and would have taken years to conclude", while any UK prosecution "could have been blocked under double jeopardy principles".‌Referring to the sale of the substance linked to the European seller, a government spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost a loved one in these cases."We are working closely with law enforcement partners to identify and intercept harmful substances entering the UK. Ofcom recently fined a suicide forum £950k, and we will continue to take action to prevent the misuse of dangerous substances and ensure the law is upheld."Under the Online Safety Act, services must take action to prevent users from accessing suicide content. Where they fail to do so, they have faced robust enforcement action, such as fines of up to 10% of worldwide revenue or courts blocking access.”Article continues belowA National Police Chiefs' Council spokesperson said: “The online sale, purchase and importation of substances that can be used in suicide was identified as an emerging threat several years ago. This precipitated investigative and safeguarding action by UK law enforcement agencies, health and social care partners."This work continues and is complemented by activity to identify, intercept, seize and destroy items intended for use in suicide, preventing access to international sellers from the UK internet domains, and increasing regulatory enforcement through activity by Ofcom to protect people in the UK.”When life is difficult, Samaritans are available day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org