Less sizzurp on the streets of Philadelphia
US Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted an illicit shipment of codeine syrup from the United Kingdom that was destined to an address in Philadelphia.
The shipment, which was destined to an address in Philadelphia, arrived on 13 June 2023 manifested as “vegetable glycerin.” CBP officers opened the parcel and observed six 480 g bottles labelled as vegetable glycerin.
The bottles contained a thick, syrupy liquid that field-tested positive for the properties of codeine, an opioid and schedule III controlled substance that requires a physician’s prescription in USA.
Codeine has a high rate of abuse as a recreation drug, but one that poses potential health concerns. Abusers mix codeine syrup with alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages into a concoction known on the street as purple drank, cough syrup, lean, or sizzurp. (cj)