Carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis of morphine from opium and heroin samples originating in the four major heroin producing regions.

The forensic analysis of stable isotopes is a valuable tool to geo-source natural or semisynthetic drugs such as cocaine and heroin. The present study describes a novel methodology to isolate morphine from opium for isotopic analysis. Furthermore, this isotopic data from regional sources is corroborated with morphine data obtained from seized heroin (deacetylated to morphine) from the same regions.

Advances in cocaine signature methodology: Alkaloid and isotope profiles of coca grown in Puno, Peru.

Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Cocaine Signature Program previously identified 19 coca-growing regions within South America and developed methodology to geo-source cocaine using a combination of trace cocaine alkaloids, stable isotopes, and multivariate statistics. Twenty-nine coca leaf samples collected in 2016 and 2019 from a previously unanalyzed coca-growing region located in Puno, Peru, were analyzed with this methodology. Trace cocaine alkaloids and stable isotopes were compared with other Peruvian regions.

Changes in illicit cocaine hydrochloride processing identified and revealed through multivariate analysis of cocaine signature data.

For nearly 30years, the methods utilized in illicit cocaine hydrochloride production have remained relatively consistent. Cocaine hydrochloride is typically produced one kilogram at a time. As a result, each individual kilogram is unique and distinct from other kilograms in any particular seizure based on the total alkaloid profile, occluded solvent profile, and isotopic signature.

The isotopic fractionation of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen during illicit production of cocaine base in South America.

Stable isotope measurements have become a key component in sourcing the origin of illicit cocaine seized within the United States. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the process by which isotopes may be fractionated during illicit cocaine processing. In a controlled observational study, there was apparent isotopic fractionation of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Geographically Sourcing Cocaine's Origin - Delineation of the Nineteen Major Coca Growing Regions in South America.

Previously, geo-sourcing to five major coca growing regions within South America was accomplished. However, the expansion of coca cultivation throughout South America made sub-regional origin determinations increasingly difficult. The former methodology was recently enhanced with additional stable isotope analyses ((2)H and (18)O) to fully characterize cocaine due to the varying environmental conditions in which the coca was grown.

The use of δ13C isotope ratio mass spectrometry for methamphetamine profiling: comparison of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine-based samples to P2P-based samples.

Differentiating methamphetamine samples produced from ephedrine and pseudoephedrine from phenyl-2-propanone precursors is critical for assigning synthetic route information for methamphetamine profiling. The use of isotope ratio mass spectrometry data is now a key component for tracking precursor information. Recent carbon (δ(13)C) isotope results from the analysis of numerous methamphetamine samples show clear differentiation for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine-produced samples compared to P2P-produced samples.

Signature profiling and classification of illicit heroin by GC-MS analysis of acidic and neutral manufacturing impurities.

The illicit manufacture of heroin results in the formation of trace level acidic and neutral impurities. These impurities are detectable in illicit heroin and provide valuable information about the manufacturing process used. The isolation, derivatization, and semiquantitative analysis of neutral and acidic heroin manufacturing impurities by programmed temperature vaporizing injector-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PTV-GC-MS) is described.

Stable isotope analyses of heroin seized from the merchant vessel Pong Su.

A new type of heroin HCl seized in Australia was examined by stable isotope analysis. The final origin/process classification of these samples by chromatographic signature profiles of the impurity/manufacturing by-products was previously determined to be "unknown" by two independent national laboratories. Various drug enforcement authorities speculated that the heroin might be from a new region or new illicit process due to the unusual chromatographic impurity profiles that were present.

Neutral heroin impurities from tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline alkaloids.

Laudanosine, reticuline, codamine, and laudanine are members of the tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline family of natural products. These alkaloids are present in the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, and are subsequently found as impurities in clandestinely processed morphine. Morphine is then synthesized to heroin using hot acetic anhydride.

Isotopic fractionation of carbon and nitrogen during the illicit processing of cocaine and heroin in South America.

The forensic application of stable isotope analysis to cocaine and heroin for geolocation of exhibits must take into account the possible enrichment and/or depletion of 13C and 15N during the illicit manufacturing process. Continuous-flow elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry was utilized to measure changes in the stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen for both cocaine (N = 92) and heroin/morphine (N = 81) exhibits derived from illicit manufacturing processes utilized by South American clandestine chemists. In controlled settings in South America, there was no siginficiant carbon isotope fractionation during the conversion of cocaine base to cocaine HCI using current illict methodologies.