Albuquerque methamphetamine dealers are reportedly introducing a blue tint to the drug in a bid to ‘brand’ their product, mimicking the substance sold by fictional meth producer Walter White in the AMC television series Breaking Bad.

Kevin Abar, assistant special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New Mexico said authorities have seen an increase in the sale of blue meth in the area within the past year.

Speaking to KOB4 News, Mr Abar said tinting the drug is an attempt by distributors to brand or advertise their products. Agents have even discovered a red-tinted version of the drug, he added.

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However, contrary to the show, the methamphetamine does not have a high level of purity and is making users ill. The drug begins typically at a purity of 80- 90 per cent, but once shipped to Mexico it is then cut by second-hand dealers with chemicals to make it blue.

Mr Abar said: “We're concerned that individuals may find it sexy and want to try it and utilize the drug and it's very addictive.”

In November last year five men appeared to have almost beaten the efforts of Breaking Bad's chemist White, after being arrested on suspicion of trafficking crystal meth with a purity of 99 per cent.

Two of the men sold over 66lbs of the methamphetamines produced in North Korea in 2012, according to court documents. This was seized by law enforcement in Thailand and the Philippines, and tests conducted showed it had a purity of 99 per cent.