Publication: Determination of chemical attribution substances in methamphetamine tablets by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
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Date
2025-02
Authors
Zabidi, Mohammad Zawawis Mohammad
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Abstract
Methamphetamine abuse is a significant global concern. Chemical attribution substances (CAS) in methamphetamine tablets, including adulterants, diluents, and impurities, play a crucial role in forensic investigations by providing insights into manufacturing methods and trends in adulteration. However, routine forensic analyses typically focus on identifying and quantifying the primary drug component in seized methamphetamine tablets, with less emphasis on detecting CAS. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify and characterise CAS in seized illicit methamphetamine tablets using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to establish chemical profiles and assess trends in adulteration. In this study, a total of 161 methamphetamine tablets, seized by the Royal Malaysian Police in Kelantan state, were analysed using GC-MS. These samples were extracted with methanol followed by chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric identification. The presence of methamphetamine and caffeine were detected in all tested samples. The methamphetamine-to-caffeine ratio was found to be varied across samples, indicating inconsistencies in manufacturing processes and possible differences in source or synthesis methods. Most samples fell within the ratio range of 0.6 to 0.65 with 39 samples, representing 24.22% of the total samples. To conclude, this study could contribute to forensic drug intelligence by aiding in determining methamphetamine tablet sources and manufacturing trends. Establishing CAS profiles could enhance forensic investigations by linking illicit drug samples to specific production routes, supporting law enforcement efforts in combating drug trafficking
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