Street-level heroin seizures in Iran: a survey of components

Abstract

Background: Street-level heroin is one of the most abused drugs in Iran. Law enforcement agencies and police try to seize illicit heroin and ban the trafficking of this opioid. Toxicological analysis of heroin samples is one of the major work loads of forensic toxicology laboratories in Iran.

Design: The aim of this study was to analyse heroin samples qualitatively over 2 years study. In a cross-sectional study 85 heroin samples were analysed in Tehran Forensic Toxicology Laboratory.

Findings: About 91% of samples contained diacetylmorphine. The most frequently occurring synthesis by-products and adulterants were acetylcodeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, caffeine, papaverine, noscapine, dextromethorphan, morphine, codeine, phenobarbital and diazepam.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the chemical composition of street-level heroin (Iranian Crack) varies not only with heroin content, but also in the adulterants added to cut the heroin. Illicit manufacture of street heroin results in the formation of some synthesis by-products. Identifying the composition of illicit heroin based on the presence or absence of other pharmaceuticals and by-products is presented in this study.

• Street heroin
• forensic toxicology
• Iran

Acknowledgements

We thank the kind personnel of Forensic Toxicology Department of the Scientific and Educational Research Center of Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran for their co-operation in this study. This work has been supported by Legal Medicine Organization of Iran, Tehran.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.