The toxic drink is called Sukudai
Operatives of National Security have launched a special operation to rid the streets of Kumasi of a popular toxic cocktail sold as a “heart cleanser.”
According to a myjoyonline.com report on March 12, 2026, the drink, known in Hausa as 'Madara Sukudai', has become popular among many Ghanaians, especially the youth, who believe it possesses heart-cleansing potency.
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The operation follows preliminary investigations by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which revealed that the herbal concoction contains substances harmful to human health.
The report indicated that an acute toxicity test conducted by the Department of Pharmacology at the university found that the drink contained acetone, zinc chloride, and ethanol, raising serious health concerns.
The test, which involved laboratory rats, produced alarming results as all the rats administered low, medium, and high doses of the chemical used to prepare the concoction died within 24 hours.
The dead rats reportedly showed signs of uneasiness a few seconds after taking the drink.
Head of the Department of Pharmacology at KNUST, Cynthia Amaning Danquah, speaking to JoyNews, explained how the experiment was conducted.
“We used rats for this experiment and we gave different doses from low to medium and then high doses of the product to the group of rats in each cage and within 24 hours all the rats died and we usually look at their behaviour etc and then but before we could say jack all the rats had died and initially we put some of the samples in in universal bottles which are usually plastic and they all melted and then just a spill off of the product also on the takeaway containers,” she said.
According to the pharmacologist, acetone is a potent solvent typically used in paint thinner and nail polish remover, while zinc chloride is a highly corrosive chemical used in wood preservation and dry cell batteries.
She warned that the substances can cause gastric irritation and severe damage to vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.
“Preliminary, we discovered that the product contains organic solvents like acetone, zinc chloride and ethanol. Just to give a fair idea to the layman, acetone is usually found in the nail polish that women use for acrylic nails, so we don't take it. Then, zinc chloride is also corrosive in terms of organic solvents and other things.
“So it can cause gastric irritation if taken, so it immediately tells you that this is not something that should even be consumed. So, right on surface value, this is not something that should be consumed. It is corrosive and it will cause GI (gastrointestinal) irritation and can result in serious damage to the liver and the kidneys, so to learn that people are consuming this is usually it's a great concern to us,” she stated.
Authorities at KNUST have scheduled further chronic toxicity investigations, which will include biochemical tests on the organs of the deceased rats.
Even before the comprehensive investigations are completed, the researchers have advised the public to stay away from the cocktail drink as it poses a significant danger to human health.
The crackdown by National Security follows the arrest of a trader who deals in the chemicals used in the preparation of the drink after several weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The suspect was picked up during an operation led by the Ashanti Regional Deputy Security Coordinator, Njeh Abdallah Umar, at Aboabo in Kumasi.
According to the security official, the presence of the drink on the streets of Kumasi has become a national security concern.
“What has been given to a rodent in less than 24 hours has died. You don't know who is consuming it, but they are Ghanaians. And the most interesting aspect is that those selling it, when you tell them to drink it, they will not.
“Even if you force them, they are not going to drink it. And it has been in the system for many years. When I was young, I saw them selling it in town.
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“So we know what is happening now. Our health issues, internal organs, the kidneys, the liver and other organs, as far as the health issues are concerned. So it means we have to rise up and fight it,” the official was quoted to have said.
MAG/MA
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