Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Miner charged in cocaine-laced tonic deaths
The man fingered as being responsible for the cocaine-laced SSS tonic which resulted in the death of four persons earlier this year, was yesterday charged for drug trafficking and remanded to prison.
Alleged Drug Trafficker: Deon Layne
Almost three months after the tragedy, Deon Layne, a miner of Lot 88 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, was taken before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to the charge.
The police alleged that on May 2 at Cokerite Street, East La Penitence, Layne had 252 grammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
To the charge, the alleged drug trafficker pleaded not guilty but the court presided over by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered him held until his next court hearing on August 4.
Prosecuting the case, Inspector Michael Grant recapped the turn of events which led to Layne’s arrest.
He said that around 21:00 hours that day, the accused went to Candacy McGarrell’s home. She was at that time visiting from the United States of America.
Inspector Grant stated that during her stay, McGarrell was residing with four other persons: six-year-old Jahaquel Blair, his 12-year-old brother Jamal Waterman, their father Alex Blair, 42, and mother 36-year-old Simone Pryce.
The Prosecution said that Layne approached McGarrell and asked her to transport some SSS Tonic for his brother in the US.
The Court heard that the woman left Guyana, leaving the tonic behind and four occupants of the home and Simone Pryce’s friend, Natasha George, ingested the substance.
It was revealed that the five took ill and were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) but four later succumbed. The lone survivor was Waterman.
A post mortem examination (PME) revealed that the persons died from consuming the tonic which contained cocaine.
The tonic was taken to the police laboratory where it tested positive for cocaine. Investigators extracted the illicit substance and it was weighed.
Following probes by detectives, Layne was later apprehended and charged for drug trafficking. Grant disclosed that the State has five witnesses to support its case against the accused.
During the proceedings yesterday, the accused who was unrepresented, did not make an application for bail.
The Chief Magistrate remanded Layne to prison. The Prosecution was ordered to summon its witnesses for the trial on August 4.
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