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The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory (Mission, Kansas) has recently received multiple submissions of small, irregularly shaped cotton balls impregnated with a white, crystalline powder, suspected methamphetamine (see Photo 1). The exhibits were obtained as a result of multiple, independent enforcement actions in various jurisdictions in Johnson County (which includes the southern suburbs of Kansas City). One recent polydrug seizure included two plastic bags containing a total net mass of 1.44 grams of these cotton balls. Analysis of the powder by GC/MS indicated a mixture of methamphetamine and dimethylsulfone, similar to typical methamphetamine exhibits recently submitted to the laboratory. The exhibits were not quantitated, but the methamphetamine to dimethylsulfone ratios in the two bags were 1:1 and 2:3, respectively, based on their TIC’s. The laboratory has previously seen these cotton balls, but only after having being used; in such cases, the balls were co-submitted with a spoon-like device, and the balls and spoons contained only residues. These were the first submissions of the pre-packaged, unused balls. [Editor’s
Notes: According to the analyst, the exact manner in which the cotton
balls are being used is unknown. The cotton balls may act as a crude
filter, or perhaps are just a convenient support matrix that is visually
innocuous.] * * * * *
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
The Hoover Regional Laboratory of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences recently received 10 apparent Ecstasy tablets containing glitter, suspected MDMA (see Photos 2 and 3). The tablets were seized by the Birmingham Police Department (no further details). The seizure included 5 green and 5 yellow tablets (total net mass 2.74 grams); both types were 9 millimeters in diameter by 5 millimeters thick, and had a “waving man” logo. Analysis by color testing, GC/MS, FTIR/ATR, and microcrystal test indicated MDMA, nicotinamide (not confirmed), trace MDP2P, and trace methamphetamine. The exhibits were not quantitated, but the ratio of MDMA to nicotinamide was 37:2 based on the TIC. This is the first submission of Ecstasy tablets with glitter (and also of this logo type) to the laboratory. [Editor’s Notes: This also appears to be the first ever report of Ecstasy tablets containing glitter to Microgram; however, a similar submission was recently reported by the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division in Pikesville. The addition of glitter would appear to be a marketing tactic. It is unknown what health effects, if any, the presence of glitter would have on users who ingest these tablets.] * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
The Howard County Forensic Chemist working out of the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division (Pikesville) recently received a polydrug submission that included two clear plastic capsules (total net mass 0.7 grams) containing an off-white, tannish powder, suspected heroin (see Photo 4). The exhibits were seized by the Howard County Police Department pursuant to a traffic stop near Savage (located just off of I-95 between Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland). Analysis of the powder by color testing and GC/MS indicated a mixture of acetaminophen, caffeine, heroin, and alprazolam. The exhibit was not quantitated, but the ratio of heroin to alprazolam was approximately 2:3, based on the TIC. This was the first known submission of capsules containing a mixture of heroin and alprazolam to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - PAPERBACK NOVEL LACED WITH METHAMPHETAMINE AT THE
The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory (Little Rock) recently received a paperback novel that had apparent yellow highlighter stains on several pages, that field-tested positive for methamphetamine (see Photo 5). The exhibit was seized by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office from an individual who was visiting the Washington County Jail (located in Fayetteville). Analysis of a methanolic extract of the most heavily stained pages by color testing, TLC, and GC/MS confirmed methamphetamine (not quantitated, but a high loading based on TIC). This is the first seizure of this type submitted to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - SODAS MIXED WITH COUGH SYRUP (CONTAINING CODEINE AND PROMETHAZINE) IN MOBILE, ALABAMA
The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Mobile Laboratory, has recently received numerous submissions of plastic soda bottles containing either a pink or purple liquid, suspected to contain codeine (see Photo 6). These solutions are locally known as “Sip-Sip” and “Lean,” and have been seized by several law enforcement agencies in the Mobile area, including the Prichard Police Department, Mobile Police Department, and the Mobile County Sheriff's Office. Following acid/base workup, analysis of chloroform extracts by GC/MS indicated a mixture of codeine and promethazine (not formally quantitated, but both present in only low concentrations, in approximately a 1:3 ratio). The solutions are believed to be sodas containing added prescription cough syrup. [Editor’s Note: Promethazine is an antihistaminic.]
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY MIMIC TABLETS (CONTAINING KETAMINE, METHAMPHETAMINE,
The DEA Western Laboratory (San Francisco, California) recently received two exhibits of apparent Ecstasy tablets, all 9 millimeters in diameter by 4 millimeters thick, suspected MDMA (see Photos 7 and 8 (colors not true)). The exhibits were acquired by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office (no further details). The first exhibit contained two multicolored speckled blue tablets (total net mass 249 milligrams) with a ying/yang logo on one side and a score mark on the opposite side. The second exhibit contained two multicolored speckled pink tablets (total net mass 256 milligrams) with a crown logo. Analysis of both exhibits by GC and GC/IRD, however, identified not MDMA but rather a mixture of ketamine, methamphetamine, and dimethylsulfone. The drug components were not formally quantitated, but were estimated as 4.1 percent ketamine and 0.4 percent methamphetamine in the ying/yang logo tablets, and 1.4 percent ketamine and 0.7 percent methamphetamine in the crown logo tablets. This is believed to be the first submission of Ecstasy mimic tablets containing a mixture of ketamine and methamphetamine to the Western Laboratory. [Editor’s
Note: The ying/yang logo tablets appear to be the same as
those reported by the California Department of Justice Forensic
Laboratory in Eureka in the February
2007 issue of Microgram Bulletin.] * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - HEROIN BRICKS IN HAMMOND, INDIANA The DEA North Central Laboratory (Chicago, Illinois) recently received 3 full and 1 half bricks of extremely hard, light grayish brown powder with 2 different embossed images, suspected heroin. The exhibits were seized by the Indiana State Police pursuant to a traffic stop near Hammond (located at the far northwestern corner of Indiana, about 30 miles south-southeast of Chicago, Illinois). The first full brick (total net mass 1031.2 grams) had the word “CAPRICORNIO” over a Ram's Head logo (see Photo 9), whereas the other 2 full bricks and the half brick (total net mass 2587.5 grams) had a Scorpion logo (see Photo 10), without lettering (partial logo on the half-brick). Unusually, the bricks resembled kilogram bricks of cocaine in both their packaging and dimensions (wrapped in plastic food bags, plastic shrink wrap, tape, and carbon paper, and rectangular (full brick approximately 7.5 x 4.5 x 1 inches)). Analysis by GC/MS, IR, and GC/FID confirmed 90 percent heroin hydrochloride. This was the first submission of heroin bricks shaped, wrapped, and branded like cocaine bricks to the North Central Laboratory in many years. [Editor’s
Note: The Ram’s Head / “Capricornio” brick
appears to be the same as those reported by the DEA South
Central Laboratory in the December
2006 issue of Microgram Bulletin (the latter seizure
(13 bricks) was made at the Laredo, Texas POE).]
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - COWBOY BOOTS CONTAINING COCAINE AT THE WASHINGTON-
The DEA Mid Atlantic Laboratory (Largo, Maryland) recently received 6 boxes that contained 26 pairs of cowboy boots, 25 pairs of which contained a clear plastic bag of white powder in the heel of each boot, suspected cocaine (see Photo 11). The boxes arrived as air cargo at Washington Dulles International Airport, and were seized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel (no further details). Analysis of the powder (total net mass 2.707 kilograms) by FTIR, GC, and GC/MS confirmed cocaine hydrochloride in all of the exhibits, ranging in purity from 64 to 76 percent. Four of the exhibits were adulterated with caffeine, and one was adulterated with diltiazem. The Mid-Atlantic Laboratory has previously received similar exhibits.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - TOILETRIES CONTAINING HEROIN (FROM COLOMBIA) IN NEW
YORK
The DEA Northeast Laboratory (New York, New York) recently received a set of toiletries, each containing a tan colored powder, suspected heroin (see Photo 12). The exhibits (two hairbrushes, two makeup foundation applicators, and a makeup brush) were seized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel from a passenger arriving on a flight from Colombia (details sensitive). Analysis of the powder (total net mass 130.2 grams) by GC/FID, NMR, GC/MS, and FTIR/ATR confirmed 89 percent heroin hydrochloride. The Northeast Laboratory routinely receives heroin concealed in various types of containers, including in shampoo bottles and secreted inside other types of toiletries.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - (POSSIBLE) PLASTIC BOTTLE STOPPER (CONTAINING COCAINE)
SEIZED
The DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory (Dulles, Virginia) recently received a reddish brown, hard plastic tube resembling a cork that contained a white powder, suspected cocaine (see Photo 13). The exhibit was seized by Argentinean Airport Security Police at the Ezeiza Airport in Buenos Aires, from two Polish nationals who were boarding a flight to Chile. Analysis of the powder (total net mass 7.2 grams) by GC, IR, and GC/MS confirmed 87.8 percent cocaine hydrochloride, 2.4 percent cocaine base, and 2.1 percent caffeine. This is the first submission of this type to the Special Testing and Research Laboratory.
SELECTED REFERENCES [Selected references are a compilation of recent publications of presumed interest to forensic chemists. Unless otherwise stated, all listed citations are published in English. Abbreviated mailing address information duplicates that provided by the abstracting service. Patents and Proceedings are reported only by their Chemical Abstracts citation number.]
Additional References of Possible Interest:
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