WASHINGTON - Late King of Pop Michael Jackson’s chef has claimed that he saw the star’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, taking out oxygen tanks from his mansion.

The claims might add weight to the theory that the star was being treated with a potentially deadly drug.

Oxygen is required to administer the anaesthetic Diprivan, which was reportedly found at Jackson’s home, and is believed to have contributed to his cardiac arrest.

“On two separate occasions, I saw Dr. Murray pushing oxygen tanks through the kitchen and outside to the back of the house. The tanks were large, heavy-duty, four-foot green and silver tanks. Dr. Murray pushed the tanks through the kitchen where I was preparing lunch, and out the back door,” Contactmusic quoted chef Douglas Jones as telling the National Enquirer.

Jones added: “I did watch what he did with them, but I thought it was odd, and in light of what I know now, it’s obvious something was going on that was probably illegal.”

The chef also revealed that he saw oxygen tanks stored on the premises.

If Jones’ account is found to be correct, it could prove devastating for Murray.

Dr. Cyril Wecht, a leading forensic pathologist, this week called for the medic who provided Jackson with drugs like Diprivan to be prosecuted.

“They’re drugs to be administered by an anaesthesiologist or a trained anaesthetist; it is to be given only in a hospital setting… also it must be given under highly aseptic technique because it is susceptible to bacterial contamination,” said Wecht.

He added: “For all of these reasons, if any doctor prescribed Propofol for Michael Jackson to take at home himself… in my opinion, that is gross wanton negligence and really approaches a question, legally, of manslaughter.” (ANI)