Police arrest 15 for selling addictive cough drops in S. China

Police in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen announced Wednesday that 15 people have been arrested for selling and distributing cough drops with addictive ingredients.

The suspects were arrested for selling cough drops containing the compound codeine, a potentially addictive prescription drug. Since May, cough syrups containing codeine have been classified as psychotic drugs, distribution and sales of which are strictly controlled by the state.

Shenzhen police said they acted on tips from the public, who said "cough-stopping water" had been sold to young people in several residential communities in Futian District.

Suspects used electric motorcycles to deliver the drugs to buyers and also sold them on the street.

Police arrested 15 people and seized more than 1,000 bottles of the drug,according to a statement.

Some of those arrested are also users of the drug. "For the last ten years, I have drunk at least three bottles of the cough syrup every day," police quoted a suspect surnamed Su as saying.

Last year, China's drug watchdog ordered a severe crackdown on the illegal sale of cough syrup that contains codeine. Codeine overdose can cause hallucinations and other symptoms.

Police are also investigating the source of the drugs. Endi