Impurity characteristics of street methamphetamine crystals seized in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background. Methamphetamine (MA) is classified as the most widely abused drug during the last decade and it possesses one of the most domestic markets among other drugs of abuse in Iran. Forensic analysis of MA samples is performed in many countries for the elucidation of synthetic pathways, adulterants, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) deliberately added to them. However, little is known about APIs in MA samples seized in Iran. The current study aimed to identify APIs, intermediates, and manufacturing by-products in MA samples seized in Iran. Method. Analytical study was conducted on 112 MA samples using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. Results. Results showed that MA samples contained MA, amphetamine, ecstasy, phenmetrazine, chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, pseudoephedine, ketamine, heroin, and cannabis derivatives in addition to N-acetylmethamphetamine, N,N-dimethylamphetamine, acetic acid, and other chemicals. Conclusion. We can conclude that illicit MA crystals contained impurities originated from manufacturing processes and APIs deliberately added to them. The main synthetic routes for MA synthesis are Leuckart and Nagai methods in Iran.

Keywords:

• Forensic analysis
• gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
• impurity characterization
• methamphetamine

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the kind personnel of the Toxicology Department, Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran, for their cooperation in this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.