Innocent man died after swallowing 'health drink' that contained £34,000 of crystal meth

Drug dealers have claimed the life of an innocent man who swallowed a massive dose of crystal meth, thinking it was a health drink. Romano Dias, 55, of Impington in Cambridgeshire had been given a bottle of what appeared to be a fruit-based drink as a treat by his daughter Katee, who had found it in a package delivered to her home, an inquest was told. He was taken ill immediately after drinking half a glass of the liquid and died shortly afterwards.

Analysis by police showed that the bottle did not contain the drink on the label but £34,000 of pure methamphetamine, otherwise known as crystal meth. Detective Inspector Ian Simmons told the inquest in Huntingdon. “The £34,000 is a significant amount. I would say it is highly likely it was destined for a dealer.” DI Simmons said Mr Dias and his family had not been connected with the drug in any way, adding: “This was a completely unaccountable and unforseen chain of events.” He said it was his professional opinion that the bottle had been part of a plan to bring Class A drugs into the UK.

The package had been delivered up to three years ago and the wrappings had been destroyed, limiting the police investigation. Coroner William Morris said: “This is a dreadful case.” He said he had been considering a verdict of unlawful killing, but there had been no evidence that whoever put the drug in the bottle intended any harm to Mr Dias or anyone else. Mr Morris concluded that Mr Dias’ death had been accidental. The inquest heard that the package had been left outside Katee Dias’ home in London. It showed the correct address but the wrong name.

She took the parcel in, thinking someone would collect it and kept it for six months before opening the package and finding the bottle. Much later she passed it on to her father. Mr Dias’ partner Debra Dulson said in a statement that he opened the bottle and found a cork under the cap. She said Mr Dias took a mouthful of the drink, said it tasted “awful” and started complaining that his throat was burning. He then said: “I am in trouble here. I am dying, I am dead.” Pathologist Dr John Grant said the level of methamphetamine was well above the lethal dose and that the drug had a number of effects, including causing abnormal rhythms in the heart which could then stop.