Amsterdam police say they have had a ‘handful’ of tips about the drug dealer who sold lethal doses of heroin to several British tourists.

The tourists think they are buying cocaine, but have actually been sold white heroin. Three have died so far and 17 others have been hospitalised.

The case was the subject of a television crime show on Tuesday evening but police say they do not appear to have had a ‘golden’ tip. The justice ministry has put up a reward of €15,000 in an effort to identify the dealer.

Meanwhile, some 20,000 British tourists in the Netherlands or planning to visit have been sent a text message warning them about the ‘coke killer’, local broadcaster ATV says.

Reputation

Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan said no stone is being left unturned in the city’s efforts to stop tourists dying, despite the impact of the focus on drugs on Amsterdam’s reputation.

Matrix boards have been put up around the city warning tourists not to buy from street dealers. Information is also being distributed via hotels frequented by younger tourists.

The dealer is said to be dark skinned, around 1.85 tall and to speak good English.