Brazilian federal district cocaine chemical profiling - Mass balance approach and new adulterant routinely quantified (Aminopyrine)

Abstract

From a set of 159 samples seized by Brazilian Federal Police between 2010 to 2013 in the Federal District, the major component chemical profiling routine analyses revealed the presence of cocaine with purity range of 5.5 to 99.9% (mean 69.8%). Most cocaine base samples show moderately and not oxidized levels, whereas cocaine hydrochloride samples exhibit moderate to high oxidation degrees. More than 40% of the analyzed samples did not have any adulterant. Phenacetin was the most abundant adulterant (24% average purity). Aminopyrine, a new adulterant, was identified and quantified only in cocaine base samples, mainly as a trace adulterant but also as a major compound. In most samples adulterated with aminopyrine, phenacetin was also identified as a major adulterant, suggesting a possible association of the two pharmaceuticals in the cutting process. Aminopyrine was not detected in 2010 seizures, but became a common adulterant throughout the years of 2011 to 2013. A mass balance approach analysis also established that adulterants are responsible for only 12% of the mass of all seizures (i.e., 84 kg), whereas 77% (i.e., 553 kg) is due to alkaloids (cocaine and cis/trans-cinnamoylcocaine), contributing to provide forensic intelligence information to police investigators.