Stable Isotope Analyses of Heroin Seized From the Merchant Vessel Pong Su

• NCJ Number: 214499
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 51 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2006 Pages: 603-606
• Author(s): John Casale B.S.; Ellen Casale Ph.D.; Michael Collins Ph.D.; David Morello B.S.; Sam Cathapermal Ph.D.; Sini Panicker M.S.
• Date Published: May 2006
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Test/Measurement
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Samples from 20 different kilogram packages of heroin seized from the North Korean merchant vessel Pong Su in Australian waters were examined for isotopic content in order to determine whether the samples fit isotopic patterns of heroin of known origins or had a unique origin.

Abstract

The comparison of the 20 Pong Su heroin samples with just over 200 authentic heroin samples from the 4 known heroin origins--Southeast Asia (n=59), Southwest Asia (n=37), South America (n=104), and Mexico (n=21)--found the Pong Su samples to be isotopically unique. The combination of the isotope and previous alkaloid data for Pong Su heroin samples clearly show it to be unlike any previously examined heroin. The origin of this heroin is unknown until authentic heroin samples of known origin produce similar data. Both continuous flow elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry techniques were used in the analysis. Heroin samples were also converted to morphine without apparent isotopic fractionation, using methanolic HC1 for gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. 3 tables, 4 figures, and 11 references