Man accused of cocaine laced SSS tonic remanded to prison

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The man accused of lacing SSS tonic with cocaine that killed four people, was today charged with cocaine trafficking.

Thirty – four – year Deon Layne, a miner of Lot HH Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the offence before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and was remanded to prison.

It is alleged that on May 2, at Kokerite Street, Georgetown, he had in his possession 252 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant said on the day in question at around 21:00 hrs the defendant went to the home of Candacy McGarrell’s niece who was visiting from the United States, to take some SSS tonics for his brother in the US.

The Court heard that the woman left Guyana without the tonic and five occupants of the home ingested the substance. Four later died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The Post Mortem Report Examination revealed that the persons died from consuming the tonic which was liquefied with cocaine. The unrepresented man will return to Court on August 4.

Dead are six – year – old Jahaquel Blair, his parents 42 – year – old Alex Blair, Simone Pryce and a neighbor, 36 – year – old Natasha George.

Jamal Waterman, 12 years, survived.