Identification and Profiling of street samples of Mephedrone and its commonly encountered adulterants through Chromatographic techniques

Abstract

Drug abuse has become a global concern for the society. The illicit market of drugs is increasing at a faster rate thus, making it difficult for the law enforcement agencies to regulate the manufacturing and trading of these controlled substances. The drug traders/ smugglers adulterates core drug compound with other chemical moieties or adulterants to deceive regulatory and law enforcement agencies in order to enhance potency of the, to escalate it’s tempt for consumption by making it addictive or to gain commercial benefits. The purpose of this research was to quantify Mephedrone content and to check the presence of adulterants in illicit samples seized. The street samples of Mephedrone were isolated, screened and identified using GC-MS technique. Besides other consistent additives, 11 unusual novel adulterants were detected in confiscated Mephedrone samples in Madhya Pradesh region of India. The study will update forensic chemical experts in detection of new adulterants in seized drugs, besides disseminating awareness and knowledge among those concerned with drug regulation, monitoring and policy making