Occurrence of Contamination by Controlled Substances in Euro Banknotes from the Spanish Archipelago of the Canary Islands

Abstract

The social problems of drug abuse are a matter of increasing global problem. Nowadays, international agencies need fresh methods to monitor trends of the use of illicit drugs. In this sense, small amounts of drugs are transferred to banknotes and they could be detected and quantified. An analytical procedure based upon extraction with organic solvent, liquid chromatography separation, and mass spectrometric detection allowed the identification of 21 drugs and metabolites in 120 used Euro banknotes collected in the Canary Islands (Spain). Most of the banknotes analyzed showed detectable drug residues (92.5%). Cocaine was the most frequently detected drug, present in approximately 90% of the samples. In addition, 75%, 35%, and 15% of the banknotes showed residues of amphetamine derivatives, opiates, and benzodiazepines, respectively. An average of three drug residues per banknote was detected. In summary, the presence of drug residues in banknotes could be useful as tracer for drugs prevalence.

A competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative detection of cocaine from banknotes and latent fingermarks

“…It has been documented that a significant proportion of paper currency in general circulation is contaminated with cocaine [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Adherence of cocaine to the banknote can be due to surface contamination and entrapment of drug crystals between fibres of the note [9], while indirect transfer of cocaine is possible through contact with other notes or bank sorting machines [10].…”

Cocaine Detection by a Laser-Induced Immunofluorometric Biosensor

“…Reviews or other papers covering the detection of drugs, e.g., via the testing of hair [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ], the use of molecularly imprinted polymers [ 10 , 11 ], aptamers [ 12 ], ion mobility spectrometry [ 10 , 11 ], mass spectrometry [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], hybrid methods [ 18 ], electrochemical methods [ 19 , 20 ], biosensors [ 12 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], and immunoassays [ 35 , 36 , 37 ] have been published. Quite popular in analytical chemistry was the detection of cocaine on banknotes [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. It can be concluded that cocaine detection is still an active field of research and development.…”

Cocaine Detection by a Laser-induced Immunofluorometric Biosensor

“…Reviews or other papers covering the detection of drugs, e.g via the testing of hair [3][4][5][6], the use of molecularly imprinted polymers [7,8], aptamers [9], ion mobility spectrometry [10,11], mass spectrometry [12][13][14][15][16], hybrid methods [17], electrochemical methods [18,19], biosensors [9,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] and immunoassays [34][35][36] have been published. Quite popular in analytical chemistry was the detection of cocaine on banknotes [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]. It can be concluded that cocaine detection is still an active field of research and development.…”