Characterisation of illicit ecstasy and diazepam tablets by colorant identification

Abstract

Ecstasy and diazepam are two commonly abused drugs with a high potential for dependence.

Interpol review of controlled substances 2016–2019

“…Liquid Chromatography: 2016 method for simultaneous analysis of GHB, ketamine, norketamine, phenobarbital, thiopental, zolpidem, zopiclone and phenytoin (an anticonvulsant and antiepileptic drug) with LC-MS/MS [ 1559 ]; Enantiomeric separation of citalopram was developed using a reversed phase HPLC with sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin as a chiral mobile phase additive [ 1560 ]; multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares analysis of HRLC-MS data [ 1561 ]; beta-cyclodextrin-based open-tubular capillary electrochromatography column and application for Enantioseparation of zopiclone, chlorphenamine maleate, brompheniramine maleate, dioxopromethazine hydrochloride, carvedilol, homatropine hydrobromide, homatropine methylbromide, venlafaxine, sibutramine hydrochloride and terbutaline sulfate [ 1562 ]; analysis of psychotropic drugs using an ultra-high-speed HPLC [ 1563 ]; 2017 Response surface methodology based on central composite design accompanied by multivariate curve resolution to model gradient hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography for separation of five major opium alkaloids [ 1564 ]; 2018 LC/MS/MS for detection of prohibited substances in exhaled breath [ 1565 ]; HPLC-DAD method to characterize thirteen common colorants from five key classes of dyes found in illicit ecstasy and diazepam tablets [ 1566 ]; 2019 reversed-phase liquid chromatography by using functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for separation and analysis of barbiturates, steroid hormones and alkaloids [ 1567 ].…”

On‐site forensic analysis of colored seized materials: Detection of brown heroin and MDMA‐tablets by a portable NIR spectrometer

“…Common commercially available food colorants such as azo dyes are regularly used for this purpose. 4,5 Forensic drug testing laboratories are demanding reliable methods for rapid on-scene detection of these illicit substances in suspected casework materials. Traditionally, colorimetric spot tests are used for this purpose although their applicability is only limited to substances for which such a test is available.…”

“…Ecstasy tablets have a large variety of shapes, imprints, and colors to make them aesthetically appealing. Common commercially available food colorants such as azo dyes are regularly used for this purpose 4,5 …”

“…Common commercially available food colorants such as azo dyes are regularly used for this purpose. 4 , 5 …”