Stable Isotope Analyses of Heroin Seized from the Merchant Vessel Pong Su

Abstract

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. Samples from 20 different kilogram packages were examined for isotopic content to determine if the samples fit isotopic patterns of known origins or if they were unique to any known origins. Authentic specimens from Southeast Asian (N=59), Southwest Asia (N=37), South America (N=104), and Mexico (N=21) we concomitantly examined for comparison purposes. Both continuous flow elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry techniques were utilized. Heroin samples were also converted to morphine, without apparent isotopic fractionation, utilizing methanolic HCl for gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The Pong Su samples were found to be isotopically and isotopically/alkaloidally distinct from the known origin/process classifications of Southwest Asian, Southeast Asian, South American, and Mexican.

An inter‐laboratory comparative study into sample preparation for both reproducible and repeatable forensic 2H isotope analysis of human hair by continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry

“…Bulk stable isotope analysis of organic compounds and materials for their 2 H, 13 C, 15 N or 18 O isotopic composition using continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF‐IRMS) either on its own or in conjunction with otheranalytical techniques is an increasingly used tool in forensic chemical analysis of evidence types such as drugs, explosives, plastic, as well as human remains . While the avoidance of non‐quantitative, mass‐discriminatory processes that may result in mass‐dependent isotopic fractionation is a concern for stable isotope analysis of any light element, analysis of samples for their 2 H and 18 O isotopic composition poses a particular challenge.…”

Increasing the linear dynamic range in LC–MS: is it valid to use a less abundant isotopologue?

“…It is well established that there are variations in the abundance of all +1 elemental isotopes depending on the source of the material. For naturally occurring compounds, the geographic location of the source plant as well as the growing conditions can result in differences in isotope ratios . For synthetic compounds, the route of synthesis and source of starting materials can also lead to differences in isotope ratios …”

Chemical Profiling of Heroin Recovered from the North Korean Merchant Vessel Pong Su

“…Further work, focusing on the carbon stable isotope ratios of authentic heroin samples from Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, South America and Mexico, and the Pong Su samples, has been carried out at the STRL (12). This work and the alkaloid analyses have demonstrated that the Pong Su samples are different from any heroin previously encountered.…”