|
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY MIMIC TABLET (CONTAINING BENZYLPIPERAZINE (BZP), METHAMPHETAMINE, AND CAFFEINE) IN SIKESTON, MISSOURI
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E Laboratory (Cape Girardeau) recently received one round, green tablet with a poorly defined logo, suspected “Ecstasy” (see Photo 1). The tablet was seized in Sikeston, Missouri by the Sikeston Department of Public Safety (details sensitive; Sikeston is about 150 south of St. Louis). The tablet was 9 millimeters in diameter by 3 millimeters thick, and weighed 290 milligrams. Analysis by color testing (Marquis and Methedrine) and GC/MS, however, indicated not MDMA but rather benzyl piperazine (BZP), methamphetamine, and caffeine in an approximate 300:6:85 ratio (based on the TIC; not formally quantitated). This was the first submission of BZP in any form to the laboratory. [Editor’s Notes: The logo may be four “playing card”-type diamonds arranged in a diamond pattern. Informal inquiries suggest that this is a new logo, not previously reported in either Europe or the U.S. The weight of the tablet (290 milligrams) is rather high for the tablet dimensions (9 x 3 millimeters), but was confirmed by a second weighing, suggesting that it was very highly compressed.] * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - HEROIN SMUGGLED IN A VARIETY OF CANDIES IN QUEENS (NEW YORK ) The DEA Northeast Laboratory (New York, New York) recently received a multi-part submission of apparent candies, including 82 lollipops, 25 chocolate bars, and 86 caramel squares, all actually containing a compressed brown powder, suspected heroin (see Photos 2 - 4). The exhibits were seized in Queens by agents from the DEA New York Field Division, pursuant to a consent search. Analysis of the powders by color testing (Marquis), GC/MS, GC/FID, and FTIR/ATR confirmed heroin hydrochloride, as follows: Lollipops (Total net mass 1283 grams): 70 percent heroin hydrochloride, trace cocaine, and aminopyrine (Average length, including the “pop,” was 1.3 inches; average “pop” diameter was 0.4 inch). Bars (Total net mass 436.9 grams): 65 percent heroin hydrochloride and caffeine (Average dimensions were 2.6 x 1.0 x 0.5 inches). Squares (Total net mass 468.8 grams): 66 percent heroin hydrochloride and caffeine (Average dimensions were 0.7 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches).
The Northeast Laboratory routinely receives heroin in apparent candies; however, this is the first time a variety of candies was used to transport heroin. * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
COCAINE SMUGGLED IN LAMINATED RECIPE SHEETS The DEA Southeast Laboratory (Miami, Florida) recently received 20 laminated sheets of cooking recipes, each containing a white powder between the laminated sheets, suspected cocaine (see Photo 5). The sheets were being shipped in an express mail package from Costa Rica that had originated in Peru, and were seized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. The sheets were approximately 13.5 x 9.5 inches, and were uniformly thin (the powder was finely ground and very evenly distributed). The interior was further lined with a film-like plastic wrap. Analysis of the powder (total net mass 649.6 grams) by color test (Scott’s - positive), GC/FID, GC/MS, and FTIR/ATR confirmed 89.7 percent cocaine hydrochloride. This submission was of interest for the unusual concealment technique, not previously seen at the Southeast Laboratory.
* * * * *
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT - 4-CHLORO-2,5-DIMETHOXYAMPHETAMINE (DOC) IN SANTE FE, NEW MEXICO The DEA South Central Laboratory (Dallas, Texas) recently received a small bottle of breath freshening solution containing less than a drop of odorless liquid, suspected to be a solution of LSD (see Photo 6). The bottle was acquired from a cooperating individual by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)/Santa Fe Office (no further details). Analysis of the liquid residue using GC/MS, however, indicated not LSD but rather 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOC). The solution was not quantitated, but the loading was low based on the TIC. DOC is not federally controlled; however, it is an analog of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOB), which is a Schedule I controlled substance (hallucinogen). The South Central Laboratory has previously received exhibits of DOC.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - BRICKS OF COCAINE HEAVILY ADULTERATED WITH CREATINE IN FALLBROOK, CALIFORNIA
The DEA Southwest Laboratory (Vista, California) recently received four bricks of compressed, off-white powder, each embossed with a “7” logo, suspected cocaine (see Photo 7). The exhibits were seized by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department pursuant to a traffic stop on Interstate 15 in Fallbrook, California (approximately 60 miles north of San Diego). Each brick was approximately 9 x 6 x 1.5 inches, and was wrapped in vacuum seal plastic bags, tan tape, and clear plastic. Analysis of the powder (total net mass 4101 grams) by color testing (Scott’s - positive), FTIR, GC/MSD, and HPLC confirmed 13.7 percent cocaine hydrochloride, very heavily adulterated with creatine monohydrate; trace lidocaine was also identified. The creatine was not formally quantitated but was estimated to be approximately 80 percent. This is the first submission of cocaine/creatine bricks to the Southwest Laboratory. [Editor’s Notes: A search of the Microgram archives indicates only one similar case; see: Cocaine with creatine. Microgram 2000;33(12):330. In this case (reported by the New York State Police Mid-Hudson Regional Crime Laboratory (Newburgh)), the creatine and cocaine were a heterogeneous mix of white and yellow powders in a plastic bag. The analytical data for creatine has been reported; see: Churchill KT. Creatine - An analytical profile. Microgram 2000;33(8):223. Note that both of the above issues (CY 2000) are Law Enforcement Restricted.]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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). The current donations are listed below. The offers are First Come/First Serve (except libraries have preference). There are no charges to the requestor. Please provide a full mailing address in the request. Important!: Do not provide an address that irradiates mail! * Inaba and Cohen. Uppers, Downers, All Arounders. 5th Edition (2004). [2 Copies Available.] * Journal of Forensic Sciences:
* Physician's Desk Reference, 58th Edition (2004). 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 January 2008 issue of Microgram Bulletin. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE DEA FY 2008 STATE AND LOCAL The FY 2008 schedule for the DEA's State and Local Forensic Chemists Seminar is as follows:
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. 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. (See: http://www.dea.gov/programs/forensicsci/microgram/mg0804/aug04.pdf) Completed applications should be mailed to the Special Testing and Research Laboratory (Attention: J. Head) at: 22624 Dulles Summit Court, Dulles, VA 20166. For additional information, call 703/668-3349. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Position: Assistant Drug Chemist and Forensic Drug Chemist (2 positions). Duties and responsibilities: The successful candidate will independently carry out examinations of suspected controlled dangerous substances submitted by various law enforcement agencies in connection with criminal investigations and prosecutions using chemical and instrumental analyses. Responsibilities include: Utilize GC/MS and FTIR instruments; interpret chromatographic data; carry out wet chemical analyses; perform peer review of case files; maintain essential laboratory equipment, instruments, records and files; prepare certified laboratory reports; testify in federal, state and municipal courts; and perform other related duties as assigned. The applicant must have the ability to communicate well and work closely with laboratory, legal and administrative personnel; have a working knowledge of computer software, databases and word processing; and have knowledge of Quality Control/Assurance principles. Qualifications: A minimum of a B.S. degree in forensic science or chemistry or a physical science with at least twenty four (24) semester hours in chemistry. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of one year experience analyzing controlled substances. Contact: DLT. Roger Forsthoff, Director * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Microgram Mailing Address Change Effective October 12, 2007 the address for “hard” mailings to the Microgram Editor is:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * [Computer Corner will return in a future issue of Microgram Bulletin.]
|
