Illegal cough syrup laboratory uncovered in Harare

Police have arrested two suspects in Harare following the discovery of a backyard laboratory allegedly used for the illegal manufacture and distribution of unregistered cough syrups.

The suspects, identified as Mary Jena (26) and Justice Kanopula (30), both from Tynwald, are accused of producing and distributing unregulated medicinal products to drug dealers across the city.

Confirming the arrests, police said the operation was carried out by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department Drugs and Narcotics section in Harare, following a tip-off.

"On May 30, 2026, detectives acted on received information and recovered substances and equipment used in the illicit manufacture of cough syrups at a house in Tynwald," police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.

Investigations allege that the suspects were producing cough syrups using a combination of locally sourced ingredients and imported, smuggled pharmaceutical products obtained from neighbouring countries.

Authorities say the illicit operation was distributing the counterfeit or unregistered medicines through local drug dealers, raising concerns over public health risks linked to unregulated pharmaceutical products.

Police said further investigations are underway to establish the full scale of the network and identify possible accomplices linked to the distribution chain.