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- INTELLIGENCE ALERT - MDMA IN TURTLE-SHAPED CHOCOLATES AND IN PSILOCYBE The Oregon State Police Portland Metro Forensic Laboratory (Clackamas) recently received two turtle‑shaped chocolates wrapped in aluminum foil, suspected to contain MDMA (see Photo 1). The exhibit, along with marijuana, psilocin mushrooms, and LSD, was seized by the Lake Oswego Police Department in Lake Oswego, Oregon, incident to a traffic stop. The chocolates had a brown center portion and a white/green candy coating (see Photo 2). Analysis of the chocolates (total net mass 14.8 grams) by UV and GC/MS indicated MDMA (not quantitated, but a moderate loading based on the TIC) in the center portion. Analysis of the psilocin mushrooms also indicated MDMA at significant levels (based on the TIC). No visible powder was present, suggesting that the mushrooms were infused with a liquid containing MDMA. This is the first submission of chocolates containing MDMA to the state's laboratory system.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - COCAINE SMUGGLED IN FALSE-BOTTOM BOXES The Virginia Department of Forensic Science, Eastern Laboratory (Norfolk) recently received two partially disassembled shipping boxes with reinforced bottoms, both containing a chunky material, suspected cocaine (see Photos 3 and 4). The exhibit was seized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel at the Miami International Airport. Unusually, the material was concealed between layers of cardboard with no other packaging or wrapping. The packages were being shipped from Jamaica to addresses in Chesapeake and Portsmouth, Virginia, but were intercepted and later seized following a controlled delivery. Analysis of the material (total net mass 323 grams) by GC/MS and FTIR confirmed cocaine hydrochloride, caffeine, and levamisole (not quantitated, but a high loading of cocaine based on the TIC). This was the first seizure of cocaine smuggled in this manner submitted to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - LARGE SEIZURE OF OPIUM IN ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Headquarters Laboratory (Atlanta) recently received two large, taped packages, each containing a gummy, black substance approximately ½ inch thick, suspected opium (see Photo 5). The exhibits were being smuggled inside false-bottom boxes through commercial shipping companies from India to a location in Alpharetta (approximately 20 miles north of Atlanta). Analysis of the packages (total net mass 1950 grams) by GC/MS, TLC, and HPLC indicated morphine and codeine (not quantitated). This is the largest seizure of opium submitted to the laboratory in recent years.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY COMBINATION TABLETS (CONTAINING MDMA
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office Laboratory (Fort Worth, Texas) recently received 20 blue Garfield face-shaped tablets, suspected Ecstasy (see Photo 6). The tablets were acquired by the Tarrant County Narcotics Unit in Haltom City (details sensitive; Haltom City is a suburb of Fort Worth). Analysis of the tablets (total net mass 5.9 grams) by GC/MS indicated an approximate 3:1 mixture of MDMA and methamphetamine, adulterated with caffeine (MDMA and methamphetamine not quantitated, but a moderate loading based on the TIC). This was the first submission of these shaped tablets to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY AND ECSTASY COMBINATION TABLETS (CONTAINING MDMA, The Oregon State Police Central Point Forensic Laboratory recently received 15 round tablets, suspected Ecstasy (not shown). The tablets were seized in Medford by the Medford Police Department (details sensitive). The tablets consisted of one red tablet with an indistinguishable imprint (total net mass 0.2 gram), five blue tablets with a Transformers head imprint (total net mass 1.1 grams), and nine yellow tablets with a Transformers head imprint (total net mass 2.1 grams). Analysis by color testing and GC/MS indicated MDMA, methamphetamine, and cocaine for the red tablet (not quantitated) and MDMA for the blue and yellow tablets (not quantitated). This was the first submission of these type tablets to the laboratory. In addition, this was the first time that a tablet containing MDMA, methamphetamine, and cocaine was seen in one of the Oregon State Police laboratories. * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - FRESH KHAT IN NEW CENTURY, KANSAS
The Johnson County Crime Laboratory (Mission, Kansas) recently received two boxes containing 133 bundles of red/green vegetation each wrapped in leaves, as well as a small amount of dried vegetation, suspected khat (see Photo 7). The exhibit was seized by personnel from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, incident to a traffic stop on Interstate 35. Analysis of the plant material (total gross mass 12.7 kilograms) by GC/MS indicated cathinone (not quantitated, but a moderate loading based on the TIC) and cathine (not confirmed). This was the largest submission of khat to the laboratory and the first seen in several years.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - BLOTTER ACID MIMIC (ACTUALLY CONTAINING 4-BROMO-2,5-
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, West Region Laboratory (Great Bend, Kansas) recently received two squares of blotter paper with a Yoda design, suspected LSD (see Photo 8). The exhibit was seized by the Pratt Police Department in Pratt County (south central region of Kansas) incident to a traffic stop. Analysis by GC/MS indicated 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-amphetamine (DOB) and 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxy-amphetamine (DOC) in a 2:1 mixture based on the area counts. Although not quantitated, there was a moderate loading of DOB/DOC based on the TIC. This was the first submission of blotter paper containing a mixture of DOB/DOC to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY COMBINATION TABLETS (CONTAINING MDMA, CAFFEINE,
The Cayman Islands Forensic Science Laboratory
(Grand Cayman) recently received a polydrug
submission that included two mottled orange tablets,
which were marked with a raised Adidas logo on one
side and unmarked on the reverse (see Photo 9). The * * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - CAPSULES CONTAINING 17-METHYLTESTOSTERONE
The Pasadena Regional Crime Lab (Texas) recently received 21 red and white capsules with an imprint of “Swiss” (see Photo 10). The capsules (total net mass 10.3 grams) were seized in Seabrook by the Seabrook Police Department along with seven other exhibits from a possession of marijuana charge (no further details). Analysis of the capsules by GC/MS, UV, FTIR, and Sulfuric Acid test indicated 17-methyltestosterone and lactose. Although not quantitated, the capsules had a moderately heavy loading of 17-methyltestosterone based on the TIC. This is the laboratory's first encounter with a steroid in this type of dosage form.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - HEROIN CONCEALED AS SOLES IN SHOES NEAR EATON, OHIO The Ohio State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory (Columbus)
recently received four wrapped packages of compressed white
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - HEROIN BARS IN CANDY WRAPPERS AT MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The DEA Southeast Laboratory (Miami, Florida) recently received 34 chocolate-covered bars of compressed tan powder disguised as Jumbo Mani Chocolates (see Photo 12; legitimate Jumbo bars are a Colombian-produced candy). The exhibit was seized by personnel from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration from the luggage of a passenger arriving at the Miami International Airport from Colombia. The powder was compressed in square units (as typical with most chocolate bars), covered with brown plastic, and coated with a thin layer of chocolate. Analysis of the powder (total net mass 1807 grams) by FTIR , GC/FID, and GC/MS indicated heroin hydrochloride (94%, a higher purity than a typical heroin submission to the Southeast Laboratory). This is the first submission of “candy bars” with these wrappers to the laboratory.
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY COMBINATION TABLETS (CONTAINING MDMA, KETAMINE, The DEA South Central Laboratory (Dallas, Texas)
recently received 37,954 tablets, suspected Ecstasy (see
Photo 13). The tablets were seized by Texas
Department of Public Safety personnel
incident to a routine traffic stop in
Amarillo. The exhibit was comprised of
four different types of tablets/imprints:
blue tablets with an “m&m’s” imprint,
yellow tablets with an alligator imprint,
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - ECSTASY MIMIC TABLETS (ACTUALLY CONTAINING METHAMPHETAMINE The DEA Northeast Laboratory (New York, New York) recently received 1,000 off-white,
yellowish colored tablets with a light "G" imprint on one side,
suspected 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (see Photos 14 and
15). The tablets were seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
New Jersey Field Office (no further details). Analysis of the tablets
(total net mass 829 grams) by color test, GC/FID, GC/MS,
FTIR/ATR, and capillary electrophoresis indicated 20.6
milligrams/tablet of methamphetamine,
* * * * * - INTELLIGENCE ALERT - HEROIN BRICKS INCLUDED IN A SHIPMENT OF COCAINE BRICKS
The DEA Southwest Laboratory (Vista, California) received 19 kilo bricks of off-white,
compressed powder, suspected cocaine (see Photo 16). The exhibit was seized by personnel
from Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Calexico Port of Entry from a Toyota Camry
attempting to enter the US. All of the packages had a similar appearance, initially: rectangular-shaped
packages with an outer wrapping of black electrical tape. The packages were further
wrapped in clear plastic, wax, yellow grease, tan tape, and a plastic bag. Four bricks also had a
piece of green tape on one side of the package. The contents of these four bricks were less
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SELECTED REFERENCES
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! Federal Criminal Code and Rules - 2007 Edition (2 copies), 2008 Edition (16 copies) Journal of Forensic Sciences:
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, and may fill a hole in an existing collection. 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 2009 issue of Microgram Bulletin. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE DEA FY 2009 STATE AND LOCAL The remaining FY 2009 schedule for the State and Local Forensic Chemists Seminar is as follows: September 14-18, 2009 The school is open only to forensic chemists working for law enforcement agencies. It 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 Hyatt Place Dulles North 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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