Purity, of cocaine

Table /1.9 Average price and purity of cocaine in the United States, 1981-1996 ...

The global interception rate was calculated on the basis of a global cocaine production of 980 mt in 2005 and global seizures of 756 mt at street purity, which, given a global average cocaine purity of 55 per cent in 2005 (as reported by Member States to UNODC in the Annual Reports Questionnaires), would be equivalent to pure cocaine seizures of some 416 mt. 

The interception rate of the cocaine seized in Colombia was calculated on the basis of domestic cocaine production and an average purity level of cocaine of around 85 per cent. 

Frequently quoted estimates among enforcement agencies suggest that currently some 450 mt of cocaine (at street purity) are destined for the markets in North America and 250 mt of cocaine (at street purity) for the markets in Europe.3 Far smaller amounts actually arrive in these markets and are sold to the final cocaine consumers, as almost half is seized or lost in transit. 

The price of cocaine is generally stable in the EU, but falling in Germany and the UK. Retail purity is between 50 and 60 %, except in Greece where it ranges from 5 to 10 % and Ireland which reported 38 % in 1998. 

Cocaine as it is known today—in a synthesized form— was first isolated from the coca plant in 1855 by a German chemist named Albert Niemann. A paste is made from the leaves of the plant. Then this paste is heated with hydrochloric acid to produce cocaine hydrochloride. This is the most common form of cocaine the white powder that is separated into fine lines, a few inches long, and then inhaled into the nose. When it is found in powder form, its purity can be anywhere from zero to 90 percent pure. In the form known as crack or rock, it is generally 25 percent to 40 percent pure. 

The price of cocaine is nearly 48 percent less in 2003 than it was in 1996, with the purity virtually unchanged. Neither the price nor purity of crack has changed over this time, although there was a price spike from 1999 to 2002. The price of heroin has decreased nearly 30 percent. Except for the drop in purity in the second quarter of 2003, purity has been fairly stable. The price of methamphetamine has decreased nearly 30 percent and the purity has increased by nearly a quarter. The price of marijuana has increased over 12 percent. However, the THC content... 

Thus far, the information presented certainly indicates that the NDCS activities in the supply reduction area have failed and that some of the results have actually been harmful. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that at least some of the activities have been inappropriate. Specifically, crop eradication seems to hurt farmers in poor countries. The use of pofice and military to fight drug cartels has increased violence and instabifity in Latin America. In spite of the bilhons of dollars spent each year to reduce the supply of illegal drugs, neither the price, nor the purity, or availabifity of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or methamphetamine has been impacted. Why ... 

There is no part of the NDCS that illustrates its failure more clearly than supply reduction. Although more money is spent to reduce the supply of ill al drugs than is spent on any other part of the NDCS, there has been absolutely no impact on the price, purity, or availability of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or methamphetamine during the 10-year time period discussed in this book. Not only has our approach failed to have the desired impact, there has also been harm created as a result of eradication, interdiction, and law enforcement efforts in foreign countries. The... 

Suppose a forensic chemist designs a sampling plan for the 100-baggie seizure that calls for presumptive testing of all 100 exhibits. All of the tests indicate cocaine, and a subset of 25 is selected for complete characterization. AH 25 are confirmed to be cocaine. The analyst is then asked to determine the purity of the seizure. Once again, options abound Should aU 100 be quantitated Each of the 25 A composite of the 100 A composite of 25 The answer will depend on the analytical results in hand. Once again, there is no single correct protocol. 

Test a sample of the product s properties and characteristics (melting point, boiling point, weight). Cocaine and most of the other drugs will have specific tests that should be performed also to determine purity and potency. 

Cocaine is the most potent naturally occurring stimulant. It is found as an alkaloid (nitrogen-containing organic base) in the leaves of the Erythroxylon coca trees in the Andes Mountains. Coca leaves contain 0.5-1.8% cocaine (benzoylmethylecgonine or BZ) that can be refined to nearly 100% purity. Research indicates that the plant produces cocaine to kill insects that prey on it. In humans, it is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. 

Powder cocaine (cocaine hydrochloride) can be over 100 times more potent than coca leaves. By adding acids and purifying agents, 22 lbs (10 kg) of coca paste can be refined to 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of powder. This powder approaches 100% purity, but it is diluted with fillers before it is sold on the streets in the United States. Common fillers are cheaper drugs such as amphetamines or sugars such as lactose or inositol. Average street powder purity is 60%. The most common way to use powder is to snort it into the nose, but it can also be dissolved in water and injected into the veins. Powder cocaine cannot be smoked. Powder cocaine is addictive when snorted and highly addictive when injected. 

The relationships people form with plants are different from those they form with white powders. Crude natural drugs tend to he less toxic, and users tend to stay in better relationships with them over time. One reason for this difference is that plants are dilute preparations, since the active principles are combined not only with other drugs but also with inert vegetable matter. Drugs plants commonly contain less than 5 percent of an active princi-pic. (Coca rarely has more than 0.5 percent cocaine. By contrast, refined preparations may approach 100 percent purity. 

Crude Cocaine.—In order to save freight and to eliminate the risk of deterioration to which the leaves are subject, the alkaloids are commonly, though not always, extracted in the country of origin, and imported into Europe under the name of crude cocaine, which may consist either of the bases themselves, or of their hydrochlorides. Crude cocaine, from South America, is an extremely variable article and frequently is heavily adulterated. Purchase on assay even is attended by risk, as the same keg may contain material of greatly varying purity. 

Benzoylation.—Distilled methyl-ecgonine dissolved in benzene is mixed with a small excess of benzoyl chloride, and the mixture heated at its boiling point under a reflux condenser. The cocaine hydrochloride obtained on cooling is converted to base and is purified by recrystallisation from alcohol. The hydrochloride is then re-formed and recrystallised from mixtures of alcohol and light petroleum or ether. Recrystallisation must be repeated, if necessary, until the pharmacopoeial tests of purity are complied with, since associated impurities are apt to possess dangerous toxic properties. 

This element of uncertainty about cocaine s purity adds to... 

G. Reduction of nationwide average street purity levels for cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine (as estimated by the interagency drug-flow assessment process, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other national drug-control program agencies) by 60%... 

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