The isotopic fractionation of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen during illicit production of cocaine base in South America.
Stable isotope measurements have become a key component in sourcing the origin of illicit cocaine seized within the United States. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the process by which isotopes may be fractionated during illicit cocaine processing. In a controlled observational study, there was apparent isotopic fractionation of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen. To investigate the potential source of the fractionation, cocaine base was fractionally precipitated from a dilute sulfuric acid solution with dilute ammonium hydroxide. The values of δ13C, δ15N, δ2H, and δ18O for each fraction were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). There was an equilibrium fractionation observed in all measured stable isotopes. Early fractions were depleted, and later fractions were enriched, with15N and2H being the most affected. The described trend is opposite of the Rayleigh distillation observed for cocaine hydrochloride precipitation.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, Dulles, VA 20166, USA. Electronic address: Jennifer.R.Mallette@usdoj.gov.
Jennifer R
JR
Mallette
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, Dulles, VA 20166, USA.
John F
JF
Casale
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, Dulles, VA 20166, USA.
Laura M
LM
Jones
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, Dulles, VA 20166, USA.
David R
DR
Morello
D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D003042:Cocaine / Q000737:chemistry*; D064423:Drug Trafficking; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000032:analysis; D007554:Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D010103:Oxygen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D013020:South America
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D007554:Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D010103:Oxygen Isotopes; D006859:Hydrogen; D003042:Cocaine
Cocaine; Fractionation; Geosourcing; Isotope ratio mass spectrometry; Stable isotopes