NBOMe Designer Drugs: GC-MS and LC-QTOF/MS Detection on Blotter Paper by Brazilian Federal Police (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)

Analysis of twenty blotter paper seizures by the Brazilian Federal Police in the southernmost state using GC-MS detected only 25B-NBOMe, while supplementary LC-QTOF/MS analysis also detected 2C-B and MDMA. The compounds found differ from the national seizure profile, suggesting a different route or supplier in that region. The authors argue that more versatile, sensitive, and specific analytical tools provide greater information for drug intelligence and combating drug trafficking.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The NBOMes are classified as new psychoactive substances and have recently become popular as drugs of abuse, being associated with several intoxication cases and even deaths, leading to its ban in several countries. Until now, the most widely used analytical instrument among forensic laboratories in Brazil is GC-MS. In this study, this instrumentation was employed for routine analyzes of twenty blotter paper seizure by Brazilian Federal Police (BFP) in the southernmost state of the country. However, to acquire more information about these samples, LC-QTOF/MS was used as a supplementary analysis to determinate degradation products, metabolites and unknown compounds. The GC-MS analysis detected only 25B-NBOMe, while the LC-QTOF/MS analysis detected 25B-NBOMe, 2C-B and MDMA. The compounds found in these analyzes are quite different from that found 194 Brazilian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Medical Law and Bioethics 7(3):193-204 (2018) C. A. Y. Wayhs et al. in the national profile of seizures by BFP, suggesting that another rout or supplier act in this region. For research and drug intelligence purposes the use of more versatile, sensitive and specific analytical tool provides a greater number of information that could be employed as a valuable strategy in the drug trafficking combat.