DEATH BY MISTAKE

Fear Of Police Leads To Cocaine Overdose

Ann Marie Arbuckle fell to the floor and screamed yesterday when she was
told that her son died from a drug overdose.

"I begged him not to go. I did not see him for three years and now that he
out I was looking forward to spending time with my child," the mother of 11
wailed.

Nkosi Arbuckle, of Lower Hillside, San Fernando, died five hours later at
the San Fernando General Hospital after swallowing a quantity of cocaine.

His brother, Jason Arbuckle, 21, recalled the last moments he spent with
his brother: "He came home around 12.30am and I find he was moving strange
so I began following him. After a while he told me what happened and I told
him to go to the hospital, but he did not want to go."

The Express was told that Arbuckle, 20, hired a taxi at Coffee Street, San
Fernando, and went to Claxton Bay, where he purchased 25g of cocaine.

As he made his way to the waiting car, Arbuckle noticed a parked car with
men looking like police officers. "He said he had the drug in his hand and
when he saw the plain clothes police he just put it down his throat," Jason
said.

Ann Marie Arbuckle said she believed her son when he told her he was
joking. "I see him looking ill and when I ask him he say he just joking
around, so I did not think anything of it," she said.

Ann Marie said three years ago her son was remanded at the Youth Training
Centre for wounding with intent. He was released in May.

She said on Sunday he celebrated his 20th birthday with a lime at their
home. "Everything was so good, I don't know why he went and buy that
(drugs)," she said.

Arbuckle worked as a part-time security guard, while he awaited a job as a
labourer, she said. She described him as a loving child, who was
hard-working and helpful.