Cocaine in SSS tonic tragedy…Alleged owner of bottle still at large in US

May 06, 2014 News

Police are trying to locate the US-based man who has been identified as the owner of the bottle of liquefied cocaine in SSS Tonic that caused the death of a six-year-old boy and three adults last Sunday. The man investigators are seeking is known as ‘Barney’ and resides in the US.
Sources said that two men, who police had detained shortly after the tragedy, have been released, since it was established that they had no knowledge of the cocaine.
They were reportedly detained because they had turned up at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) enquiring about the victims. They are believed to have connections with the drug underworld.
According to reports from individuals close to the family, ‘Barney’ is a relative of Simone Pryce, 36, who, along with her reputed husband, Alex Blair, 42, their son, six-year-old Jahaquel Blair, and their friend, Natasha George, 36, succumbed after ingesting the deadly brew.
A source close to the family said that during a visit to Guyana, ‘Barney’ had given one of Simone Pryce’s sister, a package containing a bottle of SSS tonic, pear leaves (a herbal tea), packets of plantain chips and a bottle of cassareep.
Kaieteur News was told that ‘Barney’ asked the sister, who was scheduled to travel to the US, to give the package to his girlfriend in Philadelphia. However, the sister reportedly told ‘Barney’ that it would be difficult for her to deliver the package since she (the sister) lived in Queens.
Without indicating that she would not carry out the task, the sister reportedly told her sibling, Simone Pryce, about her predicament. Pryce reportedly told her to leave the package at her Cokerite Street, East La Penitence home, and that if ‘Barney’ asked, to say that she had turned the parcel over to his girlfriend.
Pryce reportedly placed all the other items in her refrigerator, but left the ‘tonic’ outside.
On Sunday, Pryce left for church, leaving her reputed husband, Alex Blair, her six-year-old son Jahaquel Blair, and 12-year old Jamal Waterman at home.
The relative said that while his reputed wife was away, Mr. Blair opened the ‘SSS Tonic’, took a tablespoon, and give his sons the required dosage of the ‘tonic.’ Shortly after, Blair’s reputed wife, Simone Pryce, along with her friend, Natasha George, returned from church. They also took a dose of the ‘tonic.’
Within a few minutes, six-year-old Jahaquel Blair began to complain of stomach pains and soon after, began to froth at the mouth. Kaieteur News was told that Mr. Blair contacted a friend, who came to the residence, but by then, the young Blair had collapsed and the others began to suffer from agonizing cramps. They were rushed to the GPHC, where Ms. George, Simone Pryce, Alex Blair, and Jahaquel Blair succumbed.
Twelve-year-old Jamal Waterman, who reportedly spat out most of the substance, survived and remains hospitalised.
Police sources said that the concentrated form of cocaine, although taken in minuscule doses, was enough to kill the victims.

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Cocaine in SSS tonic tragedy…Alleged owner of bottle still at large in US

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