Police in The Hague are investigating a second website selling fake medicines which has been linked to several deaths, the AD reported on Saturday.

The investigation centres on fake oxycodone, a highly addictive painkiller used in the Netherlands by cancer patients and in palliative care, the paper said.

Sources close to the investigation told the paper that at least eight deaths are being examined.

According to broadcaster NOS, the Dutch forensic institute has identified six deaths and four serious poisoning cases linked to nitazene, which is most commonly found in fake oxycodone pills, since last year.

Nitazene is a synthetic opioid and is said to be up to 1,000 times stronger than morphine.

Two suspects were arrested in September following an investigation into the death of a 44-year-old woman, named only as Sharon, in April this year. She had bought fake oxycodone pills via a webshop named slappillen.net.

The inquiry led to a courier company in Breda and the arrest of two men, aged 28 and 33.

The two men, who have been charged with supplying illegal medicine but not in relation to Sharon’s death, are due to appear in court on December 15.

Two weeks ago another website, Funcaps.nl, which sold drugs and fake medicine,  was shut down after being linked to some 27 deaths.