A French man arrested in Melbourne after 20 overdoses

Three people have died and around 20 have been hospitalised in Melbourne during the weekend after suspected overdoses possibly linked to a bad batch of the drug MDMA.

Australia's are said to be the largest users of recreational drugs in the world. Source: Getty Images

Sébastien Verger-Giambelluco, a 30 year-old French national faced the court today, charged with trafficking and possessing MDMA and possessing the proceeds of crime.

The police said that a friend of one of the suspected overdose victims identified Sébastien Verger-Giambelluco as the man who sold her the drugs. 

As of right now, he is potentially linked to only one of the overdoses, but Magistrate Andrew Capell said the evidence is tenuous. He was released on bail and should appear in court again next month.

Revolver nightclub, where five suspected overdoses happened during the weekend, published a warning about synthetic drugs on Facebook.

Police have warned people there is a bigger risk of a bad reaction to MDMA on the streets at the moment.