A CHEF at an Indian restaurant in Wem died from a drug overdose after visiting a friend, a coroner has ruled.

Razaq Mahmood, 47, died on December 23, 2019 at an address in Cordwell Park.

At an inquest held at Shirehall in Shrewsbury on August 19, coroner John Ellery hear how Mr Mahmood visited Cordwell Park after finishing his shift at the Shebab Balti restaurant in High Street, Wem.

Mr Mahmood went to leave shortly after 1am on December 23 and was seen to be putting his coat on when he collapsed.

His breathing was noisy and he was unresponsive so an ambulance was called and, despite CPR, Mr Mahmood died at the scene.

A toxicology report found that at the time of his death, Mr Mahmood had high levels of alcohol, cocaine and opiates in his system, reaching toxic levels.

The post mortem examination discovered that the cause of death for Mr Mahmood was a pulmonary edema, brought on by the toxins in his system.

Mr Ellery recorded a conclusion of drugs-related death.

"There is no evidence Mr Mahmood did this to kill himself," said Mr Ellery. "But as it was related to these multiple drugs taken at some time, I must conclude his death was drug related."