Deadly Syrup Floods Streets: Police Net Trio in Drug Sting
Police have intercepted truckloads of unregistered cough syrup in Beitbridge and Harare, exposing a dangerous drug distribution network that has been flooding local streets with addictive substances.
The operation began on 24 August 2025, when detectives stationed at Beitbridge Border Post stopped a suspicious truck driven by Asha Muchenje.
Upon inspection, officers discovered 19 boxes of Broncleer and three boxes of Astra-Pain cough syrup concealed behind the driver’s seat.
Each box contained dozens of 100ml bottles of the potent liquid.
Investigators say the medicines were being smuggled into the country without proper registration, raising serious concerns about public health and safety.
Less than 24 hours after the Beitbridge bust, the crackdown extended to Southerton, Harare, where police arrested Claris Matorerwei (53) and Admore Gaadza (53).
The pair were found transporting 12 boxes of Astra-Pain in a Toyota Hilux.
On the same stretch of road, another suspect, Munyaradzi Korovedzai (46), was intercepted with 20 boxes of Broncleer hidden in his Toyota Corolla.
Law enforcement officials say the seized cough syrups are part of a growing trend of pharmaceutical abuse, particularly among youth.
The substances are often mixed with fizzy drinks to create a cheap high, posing serious health risks to users.
Police warned that the products are not only unregistered but also potentially lethal.
“Unregistered medicines are a ticking time bomb because they bypass quality checks and pose serious health risks to unsuspecting users,” they said.
Medical experts have echoed these concerns, pointing to a rise in cases of organ damage linked to the misuse of such syrups.
Doctors say prolonged abuse can lead to liver and kidney failure, respiratory complications, and even death.
Broncleer and Astra-Pain have become notorious for their role in substance abuse, often sold through backyard dealers who operate outside the law.
According to H-Metro, the intercepted syrups are part of a broader underground trade that continues to exploit vulnerable communities.
Police have urged the public to avoid purchasing medicines from unlicensed vendors and instead rely on registered pharmacies.
