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- INTELLIGENCE ALERT - PEYOTE CACTI AND PSILOCYBE MUSHROOMS IN ROGERS, ARKANSAS
The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock recently received three cactus plants, presumed peyote (see Photo 1), and a small clump of mushrooms, presumed psilocybe mushrooms (no photo). The exhibits were seized in Rogers (far northwest Arkansas) by the Rogers Police Department, incidental to a traffic stop. The cactus plants and the clump of mushrooms still had their root systems intact, and also still had dirt attached to their roots; it appeared that the suspect was transferring the exhibits as “starters” for setting up grow operations at a new locale. Analysis of a methanolic extract of the cacti (total net mass 142.0 grams) by TLC and GC/MS confirmed mescaline (not quantitated). Analysis of a methanolic extract of the mushrooms (total net mass 5.5 grams) by TLC and GC/MS confirmed psilocin. Psilocybe mushrooms are routinely submitted to the laboratory; however, this was the first submission of peyote in several years. * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - BOLDENONE VIALS AND HYDROCODONE AND STANOZOLOL TABLETS AT THE EL PASO AIRPORT, TEXAS The El Paso (Texas) Police Department’s Crime Laboratory recently received a polydrug submission including two different type of glass vials labelled as containing nandralone and boldenone, respectively, and three different types of tablets, two in containers labelled oxycodone and hydrocodone, respectively, and the third in an unlabelled heat-sealed plastic bag. The exhibits were seized at the El Paso airport by TSA personnel, pursuant to a screening search of a suspect and a followup search of the suspect’s luggage. The first exhibit (see Photo 2) included one tampered (opened/partially used) and two factory-sealed amber 10 milliliter vials, each labelled “Anabolico Esteroide” from Ttokkyo Laboratories, and listing nandrolone decanoate 300 milligrams as their contents. The liquid in each vial was analyzed separately; analysis of methanolic extracts by GC/MS, however, indicated not nandralone but rather boldenone (not quantitated); separate analyses of hexane/acetonitrile extracts by GC/MS confirmed boldenone. The second exhibit (see Photo 3) included two factory-sealed clear 50 milliliter vials, each labelled “Equipoise” and “Made in Mexico for Fort Dodge Animal Health,” and listing boldenone 50 milligrams as their contents. Standard workup and analysis by GC/MS confirmed boldenone (not quantitated). The third exhibit (no photo) included 18 white tablets, submitted in a prescription container labeled oxycodone. Pharmaceutical identification, acid/base workup, and analysis of a chloroform extract by GC/MS, however, indicated not oxycodone but rather hydrocodone (not quantitated). The fourth exhibit (no photo) included 78 white tablets, submitted in a pharmaceutical type container labeled hydrocodone. Pharmaceutical identification, acid/base workup, and analysis of a chloroform extract by GC/MS confirmed hydrocodone (not quantitated). The fifth exhibit included 100 red pentagonal tablets (4 millimeters across each edge of the pentagon), submitted in an unlabelled heat-sealed plastic bag. Each tablet was imprinted with the letter “T” on one side and the number 10 on the opposite side (see Photo 4). This tablet type and logos were not found in any pharmaceutical reference. Analysis of methanolic and separately of chloroform extracts by GC/MS indicated stanozolol (not quantitated). These are the first submissions of foreign-produced steroids to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY MIMIC TABLETS (ACTUALLY CONTAINING MIXTURES OF BENZYLPIPERAZINE (BZP) AND TRIFLUOROMETHYLPHENYLPIPERAZINE (TFMPP)) IN PORTLAND, OREGON
The Portland Metro Forensic Laboratory of the Oregon State Police recently received 18 vibrantly colored tablets of five different types, all suspected Ecstasy (see Photos 5 and 6). The exhibits were seized in Portland by the Portland Police Department, incidental to a stop for a traffic violation and subsequent consent search. The tablets were mixed together; there were six round orange tablets imprinted with an Interstate 5 shield logo (total net mass 1.7 grams), four green tablets, shaped and imprinted to resemble a “Transformer” (total net mass 1.1 grams), four round purple tablets imprinted with an JL Audio logo (total net mass 1.2 grams), three pink tablets, shaped and imprinted to resemble the head of Bart Simpson (total net mass 0.8 grams), and one round blue tablet imprinted with the Superman logo (total net mass 0.2 grams). The Transformer and Bart Simpson tablets were very detailed and well-pressed, and more resembled candies or children’s chewable vitamins as opposed to typical Ecstasy tablets. Analysis by color tests (Marquis and nitroprusside), GC/MS, and UV, however, indicated not MDMA but rather a 1 :1 mixture of benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) for the orange, green, purple and blue tablets, and a 1 : 2 mixture of BZP and TFMPP for the pink tablets. The piperazines were not formally quantitated, but were present in a moderate to high loading based on the TIC and UV. The laboratory has received numerous Ecstasy mimic tablets containing this piperazine mixture over the past year, but never before in these unusual tablet shapes. Since this initial submission, the laboratory received an exhibit containing another 30 of the green Transformer-shaped and imprinted tablets, also containing the 1 : 1 mixture of BZP and TFMPP.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY MIMIC TABLETS (ACTUALLY CONTAINING ONLY TRIFLUOROMETHYLPHENYLPIPERAZINE (TFMPP)) AND ECSTASY COMBINATION TABLETS (CONTAINING A MIXTURE OF CAFFEINE, MDMA, AND METHAMPHETAMINE) IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA The Tulsa (Oklahoma) Police Department Forensic Laboratory recently received 47 tablets of four different colors and logos, suspected Ecstasy (no photos). The exhibits were seized in Tulsa by the Tulsa Police Department, pursuant to a search warrant (no further details). The tablets were mixed together; there were 10 blue round tablets with a Coach logo imprint, 10 purple round tablets with a butterfly imprint, 10 pink round tablets with a New York Yankees logo imprint, and 17 light blue round tablets with a "1" imprint. Analysis of the pink, blue, and purple tablets by color testing (Marquis - positive) and GC/MS indicated a 6 : 3 : 1 mixture of caffeine, MDMA, and methamphetamine (not formally quantitated; however, a moderate concentration based on the TIC). Analysis of the light blue tablets by color testing (Marquis - negative) and GC/MS, however, detected neither MDMA or methamphetamine, but rather only trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP, not formally quantitated; however, a moderate concentration based on the TIC). The laboratory has previously received Ecstasy mimic tablets containing mixtures of TFMPP and benzylpiperazine (BZP), but this was the first known submission of Ecstasy mimic tablets containing only TFMPP. * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - SCELETIUM TORTUOSUM IN JAMESPORT, MISSOURI
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory (Troop H - St. Joseph) recently received a plastic bag containing a finely ground, light brown-green plant material, suspected marijuana (see Photo 7). The exhibit was seized in Jamesport (northwest Missouri) by the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, pursuant to a vehicle search. Screening of the material (total net mass 7.97 grams) by microscopy and Duquenois - Levine, however, were negative. Analysis by GC/MS indicated mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol, all mildly psychoactive compounds in Sceletium tortuosum. This plant, also known as Kanna, Channa, and Kougoed, is commonly found in South Africa. Although not currently controlled, various preparations have been used clinically for treatment of anxiety, depression, and stress. This is the first submission of this material to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - UNUSUAL MIXTURE OF METHAMPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE, AMPHETAMINE, AND N,N-DIMETHYLAMPHETAMINE NEAR CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA
The DEA Southwest Laboratory (Vista, California) recently received a knotted plastic bag containing a waxy, dark brown solid with the appearance and consistency of chocolate (see Photo 8). The exhibit was seized near the South Gate of Camp Pendleton, California by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel (Santa Ana Office), pursuant to a warrant search (no further details). Despite the appearance, there was no noticeable odor. Analysis of the material (total net mass 176.7 grams) by GC/FID (underivatized and following derivatization with TPC), FTIR, GC/MS, and LC identified a mixture of 76.6% methamphetamine hydrochloride, 10.4% amphetamine (calculated as the hydrochloride), and 9.1% N,N-dimethylamphetamine (calculated as the hydrochloride). The methamphetamine was non-racemic, with the l- isomer in greater abundance, while the amphetamine was racemic (the isomer composition of the dimethylamphetamine was not determined). The cause for the unusual color - unexpected for a sample containing 96% total amphetamines - was not determined. This was the second such submission to the Southwest Laboratory - a similar exhibit was submitted in 2002. * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - EXTREMELY HARD, UNUSUALLY WELL FORMED BRICKS OF HIGH PURITY “ICE” METHAMPHETAMINE IN LAREDO, TEXAS The DEA South Central Laboratory (Dallas, Texas) recently received 23 plastic-wrapped bricks of white crystalline material, suspected methamphetamine (see Photo 9, next page). The exhibits were seized by U.S. Border Patrol personnel during a routine search at a checkpoint in Laredo, Texas. The bricks were extremely hard, requiring a hammer and chisel to break apart, and were also unusually well formed and unusually shaped (16.5 x 8 x 8 centimeter rectangles with exact, squared-off corners (see Photo 10, next page)). Analysis of the material (total net mass 22.80 kilograms) by FTIR-ATR, GC/MS, GC/FID and LC/MS confirmed 99.7% d-methamphetamine hydrochloride. The South Central Laboratory routinely receives “Ice” methamphetamine; however, this is the first submission of methamphetamine bricks with these unusual characteristics.
[Editor’s Notes: The high density, extreme hardness, consistent dimensions, and exact edges of * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - COCAINE IN A UKELELE, FABRIC BAGS, AND A JEWELRY BOX AT THE ORLANDO, FLORIDA AIRPORT The DEA Southeast Laboratory (Miami, Florida) recently received a jewelry box, two decorative fabric bags, and a wooden ukelele, all containing white powders, suspected cocaine (see Photos 11 - 12, below, and 13 - 16, next page). The exhibits were seized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel at the Orlando, Florida airport, from a passenger arriving from Panama City, Panama. In the case of the ukelele and the fabric bags, the powders were sealed in plastic, which was in turn wrapped in aluminum foil. In the jewelry box, the powder was wrapped in aluminum foil, that was concealed between the wooden box and the inner lining. Analysis of the powders (total net mass 525.6 grams) by GC/MS and FTIR confirmed 79 - 95% cocaine hydrochloride. These were the first submissions of cocaine smuggled in a ukelele or a jewelry box to the Southeast Laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - HEROIN IN RATTAN SHADES IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE The DEA Northeast Laboratory (New York, New York) recently received two rattan style window blinds (woven wood window shades) that contained an off-white colored powder, suspected heroin (see Photo 17). The exhibits were seized in Memphis, Tennessee, but were submitted to the laboratory by personnel from the New York City Office of Customs and Border Protection (no further details). The powder (total net mass 1,427 grams) was inserted in plastic straws that had been substituted for several of the wooden dowels in the shades (see Photo 18). Analysis by GC/MS, GC/FID, and FTIR-ATR confirmed 79.8% heroin hydrochloride. The Northeast Laboratory routinely receives heroin concealed in consumer products, but this was the first submission of this particular smuggling technique.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SELECTED REFERENCES [The Selected References section is 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.] 1. Francis PS, Adcock JL, Costin JW, Purcell SD, Pfeffer FM, Barnett NW. Chemiluminescence detection of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) alkaloids. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 2008;48(3):508-18. [Editor’s Notes: A review with 98 references. Chemiluminescence reagents such as tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) and acidic potassium permanganate exhibit remarkable sensitivity and complementary selectivity for many Papaver somniferum alkaloids, which has been exploited in the development of flow analysis, HPLC, CE, and microfluidic instrumentation. Contact: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia.] 2. Gambelunghe C, Aroni K, Rossi R, Moretti L, Bacci M. Identification of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and beta-carbolines in psychotropic Ayahuasca beverage. Biomedical Chromatography 2008;22(10):1056-9. [Editor’s Notes: Presents the title study (analysis by GC/MS). Contact: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Legal and Sports Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.] 3. Kato N, Fujita S, Ohta H, Fukuba M, Toriba A, Hayakawa K. Thin layer chromatography/ fluorescence detection of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and related compounds. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2008;53(6):1367-71. [Editor’s Notes: The presented system was developed for MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MBDB, N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3- butanamine, and MDDMA. Following elution, the plates are sprayed with a solution of sodium hypochlorite, potassium hexacyanoferrate (III), and sodium hydroxide, then heated for 3 minutes at 100°C. Following development, blue fluorescent spots were observed under UV irradiation. A toxicological application is presented. Contact: Scientific Crime Laboratory, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, 155-1 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0023, Japan.] 4. Remberg B, Sterrantino AF, Artner R, Janitsch C, Krenn L. Science in drug control: The alkaloid content of Afghan opium. Chemistry & Biodiversity 2008;5(9):1770-9. [Editor’s Notes: Opium samples from Afghanistan were analyzed by HPLC for morphine, codeine, thebaine, and papaverine. More than 75% of the samples contained above 10% of morphine, and the overall average was 14.4%. Contact: Laboratory and Scientific Section, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna A-1400, Austria.] 5. Thigpen AL, Awad T, DeRuiter J, Clark CR. GC-MS Studies on the regioisomeric methoxy-methyl-phenethylamines related to MDEA, MDMMA, and MBDB. Journal of Chromatographic Science 2008;46(10):900-6. [Editor’s Notes: The mass spectra of the regioisomeric 4-methoxy-3-methyl- and 4-methoxy-2-methyl- phenethylamines are highly similar. Side chain differentiation by mass spectrometry was possible after the formation of the pentafluoropropionylamide (PFPA) and heptafluorobutrylamide (HFBA) derivatives. In addition, the 4-methoxy-3-methyl-phenethylamine derivatives eluted before the 4-methoxy-2-methyl-phenethylamine derivatives as both the PFPA and HFBA derivatives on an RTX-1 column. Contact: Department of Pharmacal Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849.] 6. Yasuda I. The identification of illegal drugs and the change of circulation products. Tokyo-to Kenko Anzen Kenkyu Senta Kenkyu Nenpo 2007;58:37-45. [Editor’s Notes: A review of the identification of drugs of abuse, focusing on phenethylamines, tryptamines, piperazines, sulfite esters, various plant components (salvinorin A, etc.). Recent changes in the illicit market in Tokyo are discussed. This article is written in Japanese. Contact: Dep. Pharm. Sci., Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan 169-0073.] 7. Yuan B. Feature analysis and future perspective of designer steroid. Tianjin Tiyu Xueyuan Xuebao 2007;22(5):422-5. [Editor’s Notes: A review, focusing on norbolethone, tetrahydrogestrinone, and desoxymethyltestosterone. This article is written in Chinese. Contact: Section of Sports Physiology and Biochemistry, Xian University of Physical Education, Xian 710068, Peop. Rep. China.] Additional References of Possible Interest: 1. Thevis M, Editor. Sports Drug Testing by Mass Spectrometry. IM Publications: Chichester, UK, 2008. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Microgram email Address Change Effective January 1st, 2009 the email address for the Microgram Editor will be: DEA-Microgram-2009 -at- mailsnare.net (Replace “ -at- ” with “@”) The current email address ( DEA-Microgram-2008 -at- mailsnare.net ) will be monitored until January 31st, 2009. An automated response will direct senders to the new address until April 1st, 2009, at which point the account will lapse. Important Notes to All Subscribers: All subscribers with filters on their accounts should immediately “whitelist” the DEA-Microgram-2009 -at- mailsnare.net email address. In addition, it is recommended that the current and previous email addresses used for Microgram ( DEA-Microgram-2008 -at- mailsnare.net ) be automatically filtered (blocked) after January 1st, 2009. This address will no longer be used by Microgram after this date; therefore, any subsequent emails from these addresses will be spam - note that the Microgram email addresses are routinely “hijacked” and used to send spam, and this fraudulent use will continue and likely will increase in future years (it is not possible for the Microgram Editor to prevent or control this problem). All subscribers should notify their IT security personnel of all the above changes. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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