A HAMPSHIRE man has died after drinking a pear drink laced with cocaine.

Joromie Lewis, 33, from Gosport, died at Southampton General Hospital on Thursday, December 5, within hours of drinking the Cole Cold Pear D drink.

Lab tests on the drink have revealed it contained a lethal amount of cocaine. Officers from Hampshire Constabulary found it was made in the Caribbean and the company responsible has not exported it to the UK.

The Food Standards Agency today issued an alert to all authorities to warn retailers to withdraw Pear-D if found.

Detective Superintendent Richard Pearson said: “The investigation suggests that this was likely to be a rogue bottle from a consignment of drugs stored in plastic juice bottles.

“If anyone finds a bottle of Pear D juice like the picture, do not open the bottle. If sealed the bottle is perfectly safe. Take the bottle to the nearest police station, and we will examine the contents if appropriate.”

He said he believed Mr Lewis, a former Royal Navy veteran, drank it in the belief he was drinking a genuine fruit drink.

Anyone who finds a bottle of Pear-D should bring it to their local police station and are advised to contact the Food Standards Agency on 020 7276 8448.