Ohio State Troopers seize $158,000 worth of ecstasy pills and promethazine cough syrup in Wyandot County.
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers filed a felony drug charge against an Ohio man after a traffic stop in Wyandot County. During the traffic stop, troopers seized 1,300 dose units of ecstasy pills and 120 bottles of promethazine cough syrup worth approximately $158,000.
On September 4, at 12:49 p.m., troopers stopped a 2020 Toyota Camry with Ohio registration for a speed violation on State Route 15. While interacting with the occupants, troopers detected an odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed the contraband.
The driver, Daniel Woodard, 23, Columbus, was incarcerated in the Wyandot County Jail and charged with possession of drugs, a second-degree felony.
If convicted, he could face up to eight years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.
What is Promethazine?
According to drugabuse.gov, Promethazine-codeine cough syrup, a medication that contains codeine, an opioid that acts as a cough suppressant and can also produce relaxation and euphoria when consumed at a higher-than-prescribed dose. It also contains promethazine HCl, an antihistamine that additionally acts as a sedative. Although only available by prescription, promethazine-codeine cough syrup is sometimes diverted for abuse.
We looked into this further.
It’s reported that promethazine-codeine cough syrup is often mixed with alcohol. Users may also flavor the mixture with the addition of hard candies.
Drugwatch.com reports The prescription cough syrup has been known to sell on the streets for upwards of $1,000. “It’s the caviar of drugs,” said Ronald Peters, a retired professor of behavioral sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.
Rxlist.com reports some of the side effects to include: euphoria, nervousness, excitation, catatonic-like states, hysteria, and hallucinations. The drug is not only used in the treatment of allergic reactions, such as hay fever, but it can also be used as a sedative, to prevent motion sickness, and to treat nausea and vomiting (including morning sickness).
So, as with many over the counter medications, there is a time and occasion this drug is medically useful. However, exceeding the recommended dosage for recreational purposes, by all reference accounts, is exceedingly dangerous.