Identification of Precursors of MDMA in Unknown Substances in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Government Analyst’s Department of Sri Lanka has observed a significant increase in the number of court case samples received for the analysis with regards to the synthetic drugs, amphetamine type stimulants (ATS), and synthetic cannabinoids recently. ‘Ecstasy’ or 3,4-methylenedioxymethampthetamine (MDMA) is an amphetamine type, synthetic and psychoactive drug. The main precursors used for the synthesis of MDMA was 3,4- methylenedioxyphenyl- 2-propernone (3,4-MDP-2-P), Safrole and Isosafrole. The global control of the precursor compound led to decrease in the market supply of these drugs. The case containing four polysac bags marked 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively with white powder suspected to be MDMA was submitted to the Narcotic Laboratory of the Government Analyst’s Department (GAD) of Sri Lanka by the 0fficers of the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) for further examination of narcotic drug if any. After the extraction of the samples comprehensive analytical scheme including TLC, GC-MS and RAMAN spectroscopy was applied for the qualitative analysis. The results obtained from GCMS method confirmed the presence of 3,4-methlenedioxyphenyl-2-propernone (MDP-2-P) in the unknown substances in four samples and Isosafrole glycol in the sample no 1and 2. This is the first time 3,4-MDP-2-P and Isosafrole glycol was identified in the Narcotic Laboratory of the Government Analyst’ s Department. However, MDP -2-P and Isosafrole are precursor Chemicals listed in the Table 1 of first schedule of the convention Against illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and psychotropic substance Act No.1 of 2008 in Sri Lanka. The majority of the precursor chemicals that can be used in the illicit manufacture of synthetic drugs have widespread licit use in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. As such, their diversion from licit trade by drug trafficking organizations is the primary source of precursor chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of synthetic drugs.