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A father died after drinking a massive dose of pure crystal meth hidden in a health drink by drug dealers, a court has heard.

Romano Dias, 55, immediately began to feel ill after taking a mouthful of the liquid - which was packaged as fruit drink - complaining that it tasted "awful" and that his throat was burning, an inquest heard.

He told his partner Debra Dulson: “I am in trouble here. I am dying, I am dead.”

He died a short time later.

Huntingdon Coroner's Court heard that subsequent tests revealed the drink contained pure methamphetamine - known as crystal meth - with a street value of around £34,000.

DI Ian Simmons told the court he believed the bottle was part of a conspiracy to import Class A drugs into the UK and had ended up with Mr Dias by mistake.

The court heard how a package had been delivered to the home of Mr Dias' daughter Katee in London three years ago.

It had the correct address but the wrong name on the front.

Katee kept the package, expecting someone would arrive to collect it at some point.

When no one came for it she eventually passed it on to her father.

Years later, Mr Dias decided to try some of the drink and consumed half a glass of the liquid at his home in Impington, Cambridgeshire.

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.

Detective Inspector Ian Simmons told the inquest: "The £34,000 is a significant amount.

"I would say it is highly likely it was destined for a dealer.

"It is unique, this is not an event that happens in Cambridgeshire or elsewhere."

He added that crystal meth was a drug police "rarely encounter" in Cambridgeshire.

DI Simmons said Mr Dias of Impington, and his family had not been connected with the drug in any way, adding: "This was a completely unaccountable and unforeseen chain of events."

He added that the packing the drink had been delivered in 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.