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- INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY TABLETS WITH GLITTER IN WINONA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Science Laboratory in St. Paul recently received two separate submissions of apparent Ecstasy tablets, both with a “waving man” logo and containing glitter, suspected MDMA (see Photos 1 and 2). The first submission consisted of one red/pink tablet and one purple tablet, while the second submission consisted of 547 of the red/pink tablets and 1533 of the purple tablets (weights and dimensions not taken for either set). The first set of tablets were seized in Winona County by the Winona Police Department, while the second set of tablets were also seized in Winona County, but by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (no further details concerning either seizure); Winona County is located in the southeastern part of the state, approximately 130 southeast of St. Paul. Analysis of the first set of tablets by GC/MS confirmed MDMA and caffeine in the red/pink tablet but only MDMA in the purple tablet. Analysis of the second set of tablets by GC/MS confirmed MDMA (but no caffeine) in the red/pink tablets and again only MDMA in the purple tablets. Trace amounts of methamphetamine (not confirmed) were also indicated in both sets of tablets. None of the exhibits were quantitated, but the MDMA loadings were low to moderate based on their respective TICs. These were the first submissions of Ecstasy tablets containing glitter and with this logo type to the laboratory. [Editor’s Notes: According to the analyst, other than their colors these tablets were highly similar to those described in March 2007 issue of Microgram Bulletin. Those tablets were seized in Birmingham, Alabama, were yellow and green (5 tablets each color), and contained MDMA, nicotinamide, trace MDP2P, and trace methamphetamine. As previously commented, it is unknown what health effects the presence of glitter in these tablets would have on the users.] * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - CAPSULES
CONTAINING
2,5-DIMETHOXY-4-ETHYLPHENETHYLAMINE
The Tulsa Police Department Forensic Laboratory (Oklahoma) recently received a white plastic bottle, labeled “Nortesten,” including 100 clear gelatin capsules (23 x 8 millimeters), each containing approximately 10 milligrams of white powder, that field-tested as an amphetamine-like compound (see Photo 3). The exhibits were seized by the Tulsa Police pursuant to a search warrant in Tulsa (no further details). Analysis by GC/MS and FTIR indicated 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylphenethylamine (2C-E; not confirmed due to the lack of an authenticated standard). The capsule material was not quantitated; however, the TIC indicated no other components. 2C-E is not currently scheduled under Oklahoma law. This was the first ever submission of 2C-E to the laboratory. [Editor’s Notes: An Internet search on Nortesten indicates that it is a “nutritional supplement” intended to boost testosterone levels - and that it has been discontinued by the manufacturer (Muscletech). According to several websites, Nortesten is purported to contain 18 milligrams of norandrostenediol (19-nor-4-androsten-3,17-diol) and 18 milligrams of norandrostenedione (19-nor-4-androsten-3, 17-dione) per capsule, in a time-release formulation.]
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY
MIMIC
TABLETS
(CONTAINING
1-(3-CHLOROPHENYL)-
The Indiana State Police Lowell Regional Laboratory recently received a poly-drug submission, including marijuana, cocaine, dihydrocodeinone (hydrocodone), hydromorphone, and 11 pink tablets with white specks with a diamond/gemstone logo, suspected Ecstasy (see Photo 4). The exhibits were seized by the Hammond Police Department while executing a search warrant at a local residence. The tablets were 9 millimeters in diameter and 3 millimeters thick, and weighed approximately 280 milligrams each. Analysis by GC/MS and TLC, however, indicated 1-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazine (meta-chlorophenylpiperazine, mCPP) as the major component and only trace MDMA. The tablets were not quantitated, but the mCPP loading was high based on the TIC. mCPP is not currently scheduled under Indiana law. This was the first submission of Ecstasy mimic tablets containing mCPP, and also the first submission of tablets with this logo type, to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ORTHO-METHOXYPHENYLPIPERAZINE (OMPP) IN SEABROOK, TEXAS
The Pasadena Regional Crime Laboratory (Texas) recently received a two-exhibit submission including about 0.5 grams of cocaine and 0.8 grams of a compressed green material, similar in appearance to an animal food pellet, submitted as suspected to contain MDMA (see Photo 5). The exhibits were seized by the Seabrook Police Department, pursuant to a traffic stop in Seabrook. A preliminary screen of the second exhibit using ferricyanide indicated the presence of a secondary amine, but the color change was slower than would be expected for MDMA. All other spot tests (including Marquis) were negative (suggesting MDMA was not present). Analysis by GC/MS, FTIR, and UV indicated not MDMA but rather 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazine (OMPP; not confirmed due to the lack of an authenticated standard). The exhibit was not quantitated, but the OMPP loading was low based on the TIC. This was the laboratory’s first encounter with a piperazine in any form.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - LIQUID LSD IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
The State of Alaska, Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory, Anchorage recently received a blue, plastic, 50 milliliter bottle of “Skyy Vodka,” which was wrapped in plastic and Winnie the Pooh wrapping paper, that contained approximately 5 milliliters of yellow liquid with an odor of mint-flavored mouthwash, suspected to be a solution of methamphetamine (see Photo 6, showing the transferred solution). The exhibit was seized by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at the Anchorage Postal facility (no further details). Analysis of the liquid by Ehrlich’s reagent, TLC, and GC/MS, however, indicated not methamphetamine but rather lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD; not quantitated). The liquid base was not identified. The exhibit was not quantitated, but the LSD loading was high based on the TIC. This is the first submission of liquid LSD to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - BROWN
COCAINE
SMUGGLED
IN A
HAMMOCK
CHAIR
The Customs and Border Protection Laboratory at Chicago, Illinois recently received an exhibit of a dark brown, somewhat plastic material that had been concealed in the wooden bar of a hammock chair, submitted as a suspected controlled substance (see Photos 7 and 8). The hammock chair was seized by CBP Inspectors at a parcel service shipping hub in Louisville, Kentucky, and had been in transit from Venezuela to Spain (no further details). The substance (total net mass 592 grams) had an appearance similar to opium or black tar heroin, but did not field-test for any common controlled substance. Preliminary screening at the laboratory gave strong positive results with the Mayers and silver nitrate reagents. The sample also gave a red color with Scott’s reagent - but the color did not change or extract into chloroform. Analysis by FTIR, GC, GC/MS, and HPLC, however, indicated neither opium alkaloids or heroin but rather 49 percent cocaine hydrochloride, along with methyl benzoate and various other cocaine alkaloids. The cause for the dark brown coloration was not determined; however, the dark color and anomalous behavior with field and laboratory color tests suggests that the substance is a sample of so-called “black cocaine.” This is the first submission of black cocaine to the laboratory, and is also believed to be the first seizure of a hammock chair containing a controlled substance at the Louisville shipping hub; however, similar items have been encountered at other CBP facilities. * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - FENTANYL IN BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA
The DEA Southwest Laboratory (Vista, California) recently received two bricks of compressed white powder, suspected fentanyl (see Photo 9). The exhibits were seized in Blythe, California by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Special Investigation Bureau‑East (no further details). The exhibits were heavily packaged in layers of plastic vacuumed-sealed bags, grease, plastic wrap, and zip‑lock plastic bags. Analysis of the powder (total net mass 1675 grams) by Marquis resulted in a slow-developing orange color (consistent with fentanyl). Further analysis by GC, FTIR, GC/MS, and LC confirmed 9.8 percent fentanyl hydrochloride, cut with lactose; a small amount of 4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine (ANPP) was also noted. This is the second such submission to the DEA Southwest Laboratory - a prior submission of 945.1 grams of 83 percent fentanyl hydrochloride was received in March, 2006. The Southwest Laboratory has also assisted in the investigation and seizure of two clandestine fentanyl manufacturing laboratories over the past three years. * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - HEROIN-LACED BOLTS OF CLOTH AT THE EL PASO PORT OF ENTRY
The DEA South Central Laboratory (Dallas, Texas) recently received five bolts of cotton cloth laced with a fine light tan powder, suspected heroin (see Photo 10). The exhibits were seized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel from within the clothing of an individual who was entering at the El Paso Port-of-Entry. Analysis of the powder (total net mass 2.4 kilograms) by GC/MS, FTIR, and GC/FID confirmed 80.8 percent heroin hydrochloride. The South Central Laboratory has received similar submissions in the past, but they are not common. * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - AQUEOUS
SOLUTIONS
OF 4-CHLORO-2,5-DIMETHOXYAMPHETAMINE The DEA Southeast Laboratory (Miami, Florida) recently received eight small plastic squeeze bottles, of two different sizes, labelled as breath fresheners and containing small amounts of liquids, submitted as suspected liquid LSD (photos not available). The submissions were seized at a residence in Tampa, Florida by the Tampa Police, pursuant to a date-rape investigation. One of the subexhibits consisted of six squeeze bottles, each containing about 1.3 milliliters of a clear solution; the second subexhibit consisted of two slightly larger squeeze bottles, each containing about 0.25 milliliters of a pink solution. All eight solutions were aqueous and had pH values ranging from 3 - 5. Analysis by GC/FID, GC/MS, FTIR/ATR, and NMR, however, indicated not LSD but rather 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOC; salt form not determined and quantitation not performed) in seven of the eight bottles - one of the smaller bottles contained no controlled substances. This is the first submission of this type to the Southeast Laboratory. * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - HEROIN
AND COCAINE
SMUGGLED
IN TRAILER
HITCHES
The DEA Northeast Laboratory (New York, New York) recently received four trailer hitches and a heat-sealed evidence envelope containing a plastic bag, all containing white powders, suspected heroin (see Photos 11 and 12 for the hitches). The exhibits were seized in New Milford, Connecticut by Agents from the DEA New England Field Division (Bridgeport, CT) (no further details). Unusually, each hitch consisted of two square metal tubes connected by a metal hitch receiver/coupler, which were further wrapped with a metal chain. The hitches appeared to be functional. Each tube was internally lined with carbon paper, and contained a sleeve filled with white powder. The sleeves were clear plastic wrapped with brown, plastic tape. The ends of the tubes were closed with small metal caps that were epoxied in place. Preliminary screening of the removed powders, however, indicated either heroin or cocaine; 2 tubes contained heroin and 6 tubes contained cocaine. The bag of white powder (which had been removed by the perpetrators from other tubes at the seizure site) contained heroin. Analysis of the heroin samples (total net mass 5.30 kilograms) by GC/FID, GC/MS, NMR, and FTIR/ATR confirmed 88 percent heroin hydrochloride and trace cocaine. Analysis of the cocaine samples (total net mass 10.55 kilograms) using the same analytical techniques confirmed 81 percent cocaine hydrochloride adulterated with diltiazem. This was the first submission of heroin or cocaine concealed in trailer hitches to the Northeast Laboratory. The origin of the hitches was not reported. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE JOURNAL/TEXTBOOK COLLECTION EXCHANGE The Journal/Textbook Collection Exchange is a service intended to facilitate the transfer of unwanted journals and textbooks to forensic libraries or other Microgram subscribers. At present, this service is offered once a quarter (in January, April, July, and October). There were no donations offered during the past quarter. All subscribers are encouraged to donate surplus or unwanted items/collections. Reference texts and long runs of forensic/analytical journals are of particular interest; however, even single issues are worthwhile. If interested, please consult the Microgram website or contact the Microgram Editor for further instructions. The next offering of journals and textbooks will be in the July 2007 issue of Microgram Bulletin. THE
DEA FY
2007 STATE
AND LOCAL
FORENSIC CHEMISTS SEMINAR SCHEDULE The remaining FY - 2007 schedule for the DEA’s State and Local Forensic Chemists Seminar is as follows:
Note that the school is open only to forensic chemists working for law enforcement agencies, and is intended for chemists who have completed their agency’s internal training program and have also been working on the bench for at least one year. There is no tuition charge for this course. The course is held at the AmeriSuites Hotel in Sterling, Virginia (near the Washington/Dulles International Airport). A copy of the application form is reproduced on the last page of the August 2004 issue of Microgram Bulletin. Completed applications should be mailed to the Special Testing and Research Laboratory (Attention: J. Kerlavage) at: 22624 Dulles Summit Court, Dulles, VA 20166. For additional information, call 703/668-3337. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Position: Forensic
Scientist
(Chemist) (First
Posting) Duties and Responsibilities: Independently analyze evidence to identify controlled substances utilizing scientific testing procedures. Perform analyses of chemicals seized in clandestine laboratories to determine methods of manufacture and products produced. Identify adulterants, poisons, and discrepancies in product formulations related to product tampering investigation. Maintain accurate chain of custody records on evidence examined. Prepare written reports, including documentation of analyses performed and final conclusions. Provide expert testimony in courts of law. Experienced in maintaining scientific equipment, including quality control documentation. Provide instruction to law enforcement officers regarding evidence collection and preservation. Review casework for accuracy and adherence to standard operating procedures. The ideal applicant will also be proficient in the application of ASTM methods used in the analysis of fire debris. Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications: A minimum of a B.S. in Chemistry or related field with 3 years experience in a forensic laboratory specializing in the analysis of controlled substances. A dditional experience in the analysis of fire debris is preferred. Contact:
Jim Hutchison Applications may be obtained at: http://mt.gov/statejobs/statejobs.asp
“How
Much is
Enough?” “What
Information
is Needed?” Technical
Challenges Also as noted above, storage capacities are also ever increasing. Hard drives are now reaching 750 gigabytes, and will soon reach and surpass 1 terabyte. RAID servers (commonly used by businesses and web host companies) can store 40 terabytes or more. Extracting the pertinent information from such large volumes of data can be a daunting challenge. The
Answer
- Communication
and Cooperation Questions or comments? E‑mail: Walter.Aponte -at- usdoj.gov * * * * *
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