Duo bought medication containing codeine, used to create “extremely toxic drink known as purple drank” or lean
Two men have been arrested in the Algarve for using fake prescriptions to buy medication containing codeine, an opioid used to create an “extremely toxic drink known as purple drank” or lean.
According to PJ police, the two men used these phony prescriptions to buy the medication at several pharmacies in Portimão and Quarteira between May 23 and 25.
The police statement adds that “purple drank” is a recreational drug “whose value in illegal markets makes its production and sale appealing”.
The men were arrested under “strong suspicions of a crime of document forgery” and were due to be heard by a judge.
Purple drank is prepared by mixing prescription-grade medication, such as cough syrup, containing an opioid drug, and an anti-histamine drug with a soft drink and sometimes hard candy.
