A DEADLY sex drug is exploding in a major UK city after ripping through the US.

       Crystal meth - known as 'Tina' or 'T' - has become increasingly popular in Manchester following the coronavirus pandemic.

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       Crystal meth - known as 'Tina' or 'T' - has become increasingly popular in Manchester Credit: Alamy

       Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University and Greater Manchester Combined Authority found growing use in the city's gay chemsex scene.

       Chemsex is the term used to describe taking drugs in the hope of enhancing sexual activity and is typically carried out by men who have sex with men.

       The price of the drug has dropped from ￡100-120 two to three years ago and now costs around ￡40-60, the Manchester Evening News reported.

       The GM Trends study interviewed several users who said meth is widely taken in the northwest.

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       One said: "From personal experience, being involved in that scene in Manchester, I can certainly say that in the last 12-18 months, there's been an explosion of use of crystal meth around Manchester.

       "Two to three years ago, there's probably only two to three people supplying it in the area. I currently have on my phone, 23 crystal meth dealers in Manchester.

       "It's unheard of. There's probably more, springing up all over the place. Each one is like, not regularly, but when I've bought stuff from other places, each one is saying how busy they are.

       "A lot of them have moved into it from other stuff because the other stuff [mephedrone] isn't being bought anymore."

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       Methamphetamine, often associated with backwater America, can lead to long-term mental health issues and heart problems.

       "It's becoming more normalised because more people are doing it, very quickly," another said.

       "Crystal meth used to be - if you Googled 'crystal meth' you saw a photo of some woman, spots all over the place.

       "I would be horrified to have taken that, looking back. But everything now is just 'Tina, Tina, Tina!'"

       Neil Cuckson was jailed for six years in 2020 after he injected crystal meth into Hiran Chauhan before dumping his body in woodland.

       They discussed taking drugs on Grindr before engaging in chemsex at Cuckson's home.

       It comes as a different drug that has also swept through the US has found it's way onto UK streets.

       Karl Warburton, 43, was found dead at his home in Solihull after using a cocktail of drugs – including the powerful sedative xylazine, which leaves users in a trance-like stupor.

       The father-of-two became the first known person to die in the UK after taking what is known as "tranq dope".

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       Neil Cuckson was jailed for six years in 2020 Credit: MEDIA WALES 3

       He injected crystal meth into Hiran Chauhan before dumping his body Credit: PA