Narcotics Investigation
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Narcotics Investigation www.sirchie.com 2 Narcotics Investigation Narcotics Investigation The trafficking and abuse of prescription drugs and illegal narcotics continue to increase at alarming rates. In the U.S. alone, pharmaceutical drug overdoses were established as one of the leading causes of death in 2010, according to the Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence (CLAAD). This means total drug overdoses killed more Americans than firearms or motor vehicle accidents. The abuse starts with the young and with prescription pain relievers. In 2014, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nonmedical use of prescription drugs was highest among young adults (age 18 to 24). Between 2001 and 2010, opioid analgesic pain relievers were involved in more drug poisoning deaths than any other drug, including heroin and cocaine. http://claad.org/rx-drug-abuse-stats/ Abusing prescription opioids often leads to heroin use. Experts believe young people become addicted to pain pills and progress to heroin use, which provides the same euphoric high, when they can’t get any more pills. Between 2007 and 2011, heroin use increased by 75 percent, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). http://claad.org/rx-drug- abuse-stats/ Drug abuse hasn’t only increased in the U.S. The International Narcotics Control Board announced that prescription drugs became the second most abused and trafficked types of drugs in the world (cannabis remains number one). The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stated that the most common types of medications abused globally were opioids. Currently, 32.4 million people in the world are users of opioids and opiates, such as heroin. Methamphetamine dominates the global market for synthetic drugs and is quickly expanding into Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, global drug abuse looks to remain steady. Speaking on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, stated “only one out of six problem drug users has access to treatment.” With the ever increasing likelihood of your officers coming into contact with these and other dangerous narcotics, it is more important than ever for officers to be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and information to combat this problem safely and effectively. We have your solutions for the safe and effective investigation and • Surveillance: When investigating narcotics, many times handling of drug activity from the field to the courtroom. this means monitoring offenders. We offer flexible and • Identification: Our extensive line of NARK presumptive portable covert surveillance solutions including turnkey reagent kits helps you to identify dangerous drugs. new vehicle packages, upgrades/retrofits to your existing vehicles, and portable surveillance packages. • Protection: the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will protect you and your officers against these • Training: Contact your Sirchie sales representative drugs and other unknown substances. We offer several today for our full class schedule and sign up for Sirchie levels of protective gear and kits for your team. emails to learn about our FREE webinars. • Transportation: The tools to properly collect and NOTE: Presumptive identification is generally recognized within our legal package substances as evidence so they can safely be system as a component of probable cause. There is no drug identification transported to the lab for testing. system presently in use which completely eliminates the occurrence of false positives or false negatives. A forensic laboratory is required to qualitatively and quantitatively identify an unknown substance. [email protected] • [email protected] • 800.356.7311 • 919.554.2244 • #policepartners • #SirchieSupports • #CommandEveryScene Narcotics Investigation 3 Identification Our NARK drug reagent kits can help trained law enforcement Fentanyl Reagent officers to presumptively identify several families of substances Fentanyl Reagent presumptive test is designed to that could be abused drugs. Each of these tests is comprised of identify either Fentanyl or Acetyl-fentanyl which is one or more chemical reagents. When a color or series of colors commonly cut into Heroin or sold as a stand alone occur within a specific testing sequence, a positive identification substance. Fentanyl is a fully synthetic opiate that falls may be presumed via test. Test results should be used in addition under Schedule II in the Controlled Substance Act. to the other probable cause established by the officer. The Dangers of Fentanyl Synthetic Cannabinoids Reagent What is it? This solution identifies the “indole based Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate with similar effects as heroin and formulations” of synthetic cannabinoids in a 2-step morphine but 25 to 100 times stronger. It’s used as an additive process. Indole formulas represent approximately or sold as a substitute for heroin and it’s a major contributor to a 75% of the street substances. This test does not spike in overdoses across the U.S. and worldwide. color react with non-indole formulations, which are What does it look like? less common. All substances should be sent for It’s in a powder form and the color is usually white, off-white or confirmatory testing by a forensic laboratory. tan. Its appearance can change significantly if it’s combined with MDPV Reagent other drugs. MDPV is a synthetic cathinone configuration Prescribed forms of fentanyl are dermal patches (skin adhesives), recognized as a Schedule 1 substance. This specific lollipops, or under-the-tongue strips. field test will presumptively identify MDPV, Butylone, Ethylone, Methylone, Naphyrone, and Pentylone. Threat to first responders: Commonly found as a white to tan powder, these • Fentanyl can be absorbed in the body via contact with the skin. substances are being marketed and sold as everyday • Deadly dose in pure form can be as small as a few grains of salt. products like bath salts, stain remover, plant food, or glass cleaner. • Heroin and fentanyl are both water soluble. Wash hands This is the most popular chemical configuration for “bath salts” thoroughly after any suspected exposure. products. Mephedrone Reagent Fentanyl Facts: We recommend conducting this test after you have • Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid developed as pain conducted the MDPV Reagent. This presumptive management treatment field test identifies Mephedrone, which is another • 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 25 to 40 times more substance marketed and sold as standard household potent than heroin. substances like bath salts, stain removers, plant food, • Appearance: white powder similar to methamphetamine and cocaine or glass cleaner. • Fentanyl is a Schedule II substance (Heroin is Schedule I) a-PVP Reagent • Attractive to drug abusers due to its intense high. a-PVP is the cathinone formulation referred to on the • Street names: China Girl, China White, Goodfella, Apache, TNT, Tango street as “Flakka.” Marketed and sold as household & Cash, Dance Fever, Jackpot substances, packages containing a-PVP are similar to • Trade Names for Pharmaceutical forms of Fentanyl: Actiq®, Fentora™, other “bath salt” substances and will often show the Duragesic®, Sublimaze® phrase “Not for Human Consumption” on the front of the package. • Clandestine manufacturing of fentanyl in Mexico and Acetyl-Fentanyl out of China can be either cut into heroin or mixed with other 2C (N-BOMe’s) Reagent adulterants and sold as heroin. The 2C family of substances are psychedelics usually • Signs of opioid overdose: pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression and based on a combination of MDMA and LSD, which unconsciousness can lead to extremely intense and long-lasting highs. • Antidote: Narcan (Naloxone) • Recommended PPE: nitrile gloves, respirator masks and arms covered with clothing or Tyvek sleeves when working with suspected fentanyl [email protected] • [email protected] • 800.356.7311 • 919.554.2244 • #policepartners • #SirchieSupports • #CommandEveryScene 4 Narcotics Investigation Identification NARK II Presumptive Drug Testing Reagent Pouches Our NARK drug identification pouches can presumptively identify several families of substances that could be abused drugs. Each of the tests is comprised of one or more chemical reagents. When a color or series of colors occur within a specific testing sequence, a positive identification may be presumed. Most popular reagent tests: No. Description Presumptively tests for Price NARK2005 Duquenois-Levine Reagent, 10/box Marijuana, Hash, Hash Oil, THC Concentrates $20.55 NARK2007 Scott Reagent (Modified), 10/box Cocaine Salts (HCI), Cocaine Base (Crack) $20.55 NARK20011 Mecke’s Modified Reagent, 10/box Heroin (White, Brown, Black Tar) $20.55 NARK20015 Methamphetamine/MDMA Reagent, 10/box Methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy) $20.55 NARK20023 Synthetic Cannabinoids Reagent, 5/box Synthetic Cannabinoids (indole formulations) $20.55 NARK20033 Fentanyl Reagent, 10/box Fentanyl, Acetyl-fentanyl, Heroin $20.55 No. Description Presumptively tests for Price NARK2001 Marquis Reagent, 10/box Opium Alkaloids (Heroin/Morphine), MDMA (Ecstasy), Amphetamines/Meth $17.00 NARK2002 Nitric Acid Reagent, 10/box Differentiate Heroin/Morphine $17.00 NARK2003 Dille-Koppanyi Reagent, 10box Barbiturates $20.55 NARK2004 Ehrlich’s Reagent, 10/box LSD $20.55 NARK2008 Methadone Reagent, 10/box Methadone $20.55 NARK2009 PCP/Methaqualone Reagent, 10/box PCP, Methaqualone $20.55 NARK20010 Special Opiates Reagent,