Detection of cocaine crystals dispersed on non- Erythroxylum herbs

Julio de Carvalho Ponce; Luiz Ferreira Neves Neves Junior; Ana Carolina Stosch da Silva; Luiz Carlos Liberatori; Priscila Vieira de Medeiros

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111209

Detection of cocaine crystals dispersed on non- Erythroxylum herbs

Forensic Sci Int. 2022 Mar:332:111209. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111209. Epub 2022 Feb 1.

Authors

Julio de Carvalho Ponce¹, Luiz Ferreira Neves Neves Junior², Ana Carolina Stosch da Silva², Luiz Carlos Liberatori², Priscila Vieira de Medeiros²

Affiliations

¹ Seized Drugs Analysis Laboratory - Institute of Criminalistics - Superintendence of the Technical Scientific Police of the State of São Paulo, RuaMoncorvo Filho, 410, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: julio.jcp@policiacientifica.sp.gov.br.
² Seized Drugs Analysis Laboratory - Institute of Criminalistics - Superintendence of the Technical Scientific Police of the State of São Paulo, RuaMoncorvo Filho, 410, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

PMID: 35131670
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111209

Abstract

This case report deals with an unusual seized drugs case, in which cocaine, more commonly found in powder form or as crack cocaine, was found in herbs similar to those used to deliver synthetic cannabinoids. A comparison with expected physical appearance and chemical results for a genuine coca leaf is also presented.

Keywords: Cocaine; Crack; Drug of abuse; Drug trafficking.

Publication types

Case Reports