Drug Threats in the United States: 2019 Update JILL M. HEAD SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Drug Threats in the United States: 2019 Update
J I L L M . H E A DS P E C I A L T E S T I N G A N D R E S E A R C H L A B O R AT O R YD R U G E N F O R C E M E N T A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Objectives1. Overview of the DEA Emerging Trends & Reference Materials Programs
2. Emerging Threat Report data for CY2018
1. Synthetic Cannabinoids
2. Synthetic Cathinones
3. Fentanyl, Fentanyl-related compounds and new synthetic opioids
4. Other NPS classes
3. Seized drug composition and mixtures containing fentanyl
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Emerging Trends and Reference Material Programs
1. Analysis of domestic and foreign drug seizures
2. Research and method development for identification and quantitation
3. Authentication of reference materials
4. Structural Elucidation of unknown drugs
5. Authors SWGDRUG monographs
6. Monitors past/current trends to predict future needs
7. Publishes Emerging Threat Report
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Emerging Threats
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)◦ A new narcotic or psychotropic drug, in
pure form or in preparation, that is not controlled by the UN drug conventions, but which may pose a public health threat
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Substituted Cathinones
Hallucinogens
Synthetic Opioids
Benzodiazepines
Plant-Derived Highs
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Forensic Chemistry AnalysisWHAT IT IS
Seized drug samples
Parent drug
WHAT IT IS NOT
Biological samples
Toxicological samples
Metabolites
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Data Sources
DEA Reporting◦ Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
◦ Seized: 01/01/2018 – 12/31/2018, Analyzed by 12/31/2018
Considerations◦ Backlogs
◦ Availability of reference materials
◦ Excludes analyses performed at DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIONSPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORYEMERGING TRENDS PROGRAM
Notes:1) This data was compiled from analytical results from the DEA laboratory system. It encompasses exhibits seized 01/01/2018 through 12/31/2018 that were
analyzed by 12/31/2018. The data was retrieved on 01/11/2019.
172
163
71
20
16
15
11
8
7
7
6
6
5
4
4
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5F-MDMB-PINACA
FUB-AMB
ADB-FUBINACA
5F-EDMB-PINACA
5F-MDMB-PICA
MMB-CHMICA
5F-AMB
FUB-144
5F-UR-144
ADB-CHMINACA
MMB-FUBICA
NM2201
AB-PINACA
4-CN-CUMYL-BUTINACA
AB-CHMINACA
MMB-2201
MDMB-FUBINACA
5Cl-AKB48
5F-AKB48
5F-EMB-PINACA
AB-FUBINACA
FUB-AKB48
FUB-PB-22
PB-22
Synthetic Cannabinoids Seized and Identified by DEA between January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018
526 synthetic cannabinoid identifications 5F-MDMB-PINACA and FUB-AMB was the
most reported synthetic cannabinoids (64%) 25 different substances seized and identified 7 substances identified for the first time
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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIONSPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORYEMERGING TRENDS PROGRAM
Notes:1) This data was compiled from analytical results from the DEA laboratory system. It encompasses exhibits seized 01/01/2018 through 12/31/2018 that were
analyzed by 12/31/2018. The data was retrieved on 01/11/2019
204
29
28
12
11
7
7
5
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
N-Ethylpentylone
N-Ethylhexedrone
Dibutylone
4-Cl-α-PVP
α-PiHP
4-CEC
4-F-α-PHP
Ethylone
4-Methylpentedrone
Pentylone
α-PPP
α-PVP
4'-Methyl-α-PHP
Methylone
4-MeAPP
4-MEC
3,4-MDDMC
N,N-Dimethylpentylone
Pentedrone
TH-PVP
α-PHP
327 synthetic cathinone identifications N-Ethylpentylone was the most reported
cathinone (62%) 22 different substances seized and identified 5 cathinones identified for the first time
Synthetic Cathinones Seized and Identified by DEA between
January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018
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Fentanyl and Synthetic Opioids
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Pharmaceutical Fentanyl
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
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Valeryl fentanyl Fentanyl
Furanyl fentanyl Acetylfentanyl
Packaging
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Tablets
Fentanyl
acetylfentanylNew Jersey
AB-FUBINACA/etizolam/fentanyl
New York
FentanylNew Jersey
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Other Forms
FentanylCalifornia
AcetylfentanylNebraska
FentanylTexas
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIONSPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORYEMERGING TRENDS PROGRAM
Synthetic Opioids Seized in 2015
Notes:1) This data was compiled from analytical results from the DEA laboratory system. It encompasses exhibits seized 01/01/2015 through 12/31/2015 that were analyzed by
12/31/2016. The data was retrieved on 01/04/2017.
524
132
15
12
8
1
Fentanyl
Acetylfentanyl
Butyrylfentanyl
β-Hydroxythiofentanyl
4-ANPP
Valeryl fentanyl
Fentanyl-type substances
Acetyl fentanyl Fentanyl Butyryl fentanyl Valeryl fentanyl(Pentanoyl fentanyl)
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIONSPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORYEMERGING TRENDS PROGRAM
877
142
112
50
32
20
17
13
13
10
4
3
3
2
1
Fentanyl
Furanyl fentanyl
Acetylfentanyl
U-47700
4-ANPP
4-Fluoroisobutyrylfentanyl
Carfentanil
Acryl fentanyl
Butyryl fentanyl
Valerylfentanyl
o-Fluorofentanyl
Benzylfentanyl
p-Fluorobutyrylfentanyl
3-Methylfentanyl
Acetyl norfentanyl
Notes:1) This data was compiled from analytical results from the DEA laboratory system. It encompasses exhibits seized 01/01/2016 through 12/31/2016 that were analyzed by
12/31/2016. The data was retrieved on 01/04/2017.
Opioid & “Fentanyl-like” CY 2016 Identifications
15 different substances seized and identified in 2016
~60% of these substances were seized and reported for the first time in 2016
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIONSPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORYEMERGING TRENDS PROGRAM
Fentanyl-type substances
β-HydroxythiofentanylCarfentanil
4-Fluoroiso-butyrfentanyl
3-Methylfentanyl
Fentanyl
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIONSPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORYEMERGING TRENDS PROGRAM
2723
215
188
109
61
59
42
37
35
27
16
13
11
10
8
7
7
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
Fentanyl
4-ANPP
Acetylfentanyl
4-FiBF
Cyclopropylfentanyl
Methoxyacetylfentanyl
U-47700
Carfentanil
Furanyl fentanyl
Butyryl fentanyl
Valeryl fentanyl
2-Furanylbenzyl fentanyl
Benzoyl fentanyl
3-Methylfentanyl
Benzyl fentanyl
despropionyl p-fluorofentanyl
U-48800
Acryl fentanyl
2-Thiofuranyl fentanyl
Isopropyl U-47700
NPP
N-Methyl norfentanyl
4'-Methyl acetyl fentanyl
o-Methyl acetyl fentanyl
p-Fluorobutyryl fentanyl
U-49900
Notes:1) This data was compiled from analytical results from the DEA laboratory system. It encompasses exhibits seized 01/01/2018 through 12/31/2018 that were
analyzed by 12/31/2018. The data was retrieved on 01/11/2019.
Synthetic Opioids Seized and Identified by DEA in CY2018
~27% increase in identifications from CY2017 26 different substances seized and identified 7 substances seized and identified for the first
time
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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIONSPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORYEMERGING TRENDS PROGRAM
Notes:1) This data was compiled from analytical results from the DEA laboratory system. It encompasses exhibits seized 01/01/2018 through 12/31/2018 that were
analyzed by 12/31/2018. The data was retrieved on 01/11/2019.
4
2
1
1
1
1
2C-B
25I-NBOMe
25B-NBOMe
25C-NBOMe
2C
2C-I
Hallucinogens
9
6
4
3
TFMPP
BZP
pFPP
DBZP
Piperazines
35
4
2
Etizolam
Flubromazolam
Flualprazolam
Benzodiazepines
OtherSubstance Unconfirmed 92
Mitragynine 12
3-MeO-PCP 7
2F-Deschloroketamine 3
2-Oxo-PCE 3
MMMP 3
4-Fluoroamphetamine 2
Unknown 2
Yohimbine 2
3-Fluorophenmetrazine 1
5-MeO-DALT 1
5-MeO-DiPT 1
DMAA 1
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FentanylA LOOK AT SEIZED DRUG MIXTURES
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Fentanyl with Heroin
4228
Cocaine 412
Methamphetamine 208
Mixtures Containing Fentanyl
Each identification was made in the same seized material• May have also contained
other substances (controlled or non-controlled)
# of Identifications
Note: This data was acquired from exhibits analyzed by the DEA Laboratory System.
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Substances Identified Weight Region
FentanylHeroin
7986g powder South Central Region
Fentanyl Heroin (2.5%)
6.9g powder South Central Region
Heroin (5.4%)Fentanyl (4.5%)
1.9g powder Mid-Atlantic Region
Heroin (18%)Fentanyl (3.7%)
49g powder North Central Region
Heroin (21%)Fentanyl (2%)Diphenhydramine
89g powder North Central Region
HeroinFentanylProcaine
495g powder Northeastern Region
HeroinFentanylTramadolQuinine
0.5g powder Northeastern Region
Heroin (3.9%)FentanylTramadolCaffeineProcaineQuinine
998g (brick) Northeastern Region
Heroin and Fentanyl MixturesNote: This data was acquired from exhibits analyzed by the DEA Laboratory System between 9/2/2018 through 1/5/2019.
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Substances Identified Weight Region
FentanylCocaine
0.86g powder Southeastern Region
HeroinFentanylCocaineCaffeineQuinineIbuprofenLidocaine
Residue (paraphernalia) Mid-Atlantic Region
HeroinFentanylCocaineQuinineSalicylic AcidCaffeine
4.6g powder Southeastern Region
Cocaine HydrochlorideFentanylPhenacetin
1996g powder Southwestern Region
Cocaine and Fentanyl MixturesNote: This data was acquired from exhibits analyzed by the DEA Laboratory System between 9/2/2018 through 1/5/2019.
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Substances Identified Weight Region
HeroinFentanylMethamphetamineXylazineQuinineCaffeineDiphenhydramine
3.3g powder North Central Region
CocaineMethamphetamine06-monoacetylmorphineFentanylNoscapinePTHIT
Residue (scale) Southwestern Region
Fentanyl (4.6%)TramadolKetamineMethamphetamineNoscapineDipyrone
513g powder Southwestern Region
Fentanyl (0.8%)HeroinMethamphetamineAcetaminophenCaffeineLidocaine
5.2g tablets Northeastern Region
Methamphetamine and Fentanyl MixturesNote: This data was acquired from exhibits analyzed by the DEA Laboratory System between 9/2/2018 through 1/5/2019.
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Substances Identified Weight Region
CocaineHeroin2-Furanyl fentanylFentanylCaffeineQuinineBenzocainePTHIT
45.2g powder Southeastern Region
Fentanyl (1.2%)Heroin5F-MDMB-PINACACyclopropyl fentanylCocaineLidocaineCaffeine
28g powder Southeastern Region
Heroin (1.5%)4-ChloroethcathinoneU-477002-Furanyl fentanylQuinineDiphenhydramineEtizolam
49g powder North Central Region
Complex Fentanyl MixturesNote: This data was acquired from exhibits analyzed by the DEA Laboratory System between 9/2/2018 through 1/5/2019.
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Fentanyl and MarijuanaNote: This data was acquired from exhibits analyzed by the DEA Laboratory System.
Few identifications of THC and fentanyl• Majority were residue
(i.e. scales, paraphernalia)• None were described as plant material• No indications of marijuana and fentanyl
identified in the data set reviewed
Is marijuana being mixed or laced with fentanyl?
Laboratory Resources: Update
Searchable Libraries:
IR Library Version 2.0 – Updated 2/8/2019
MS Library Version 2.0 – Updated 1/31/19
Drug Monographs
Regularly updated
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Summary• 22 NPS were identified for the first time in 2018 which equates to
approximately one new substance approximately every two and a half weeks.
• Approximately 33% of the synthetic opioids identified were seized and identified for the first time in 2018.
• Seized drug analyses can be a useful tool in understanding complex drug mixtures and their relationship to toxicological results.
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
DEA SPECIAL TESTING AND RESEARCH LABORATORY
Thank You!
Jill M. HeadSupervisory Chemist
United States Drug Enforcement AdministrationSpecial Testing and Research Laboratory