U.K. police begins investigation into deaths of 88 people who bought products from Canada-based websites

British police are investigating the deaths of 88 people in the UK who bought products from Canada-based websites that allegedly contained lethal substances for self-harm.

Britain's National Crime Agency said that in the last two years, 232 people in the U.K. who bought substances from websites have been identified and 88 of them have died.

National Crime Agency deputy director Craig Turner said his sympathies go out to the family members of the victims.

They are being assisted by specially trained officers of the police force.

The investigation actually started after the arrest of a Canadian man named Kenneth Law, who is accused of selling sodium nitrite using various websites.

Law is suspected of sending at least 1,200 packages to more than 40 countries, police said.

Officials of America, Italy, Australia and New Zealand have also started investigation in this matter.