Drug Trend Bulletin Issue 5 October 2015

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1 Issue 5 October 2015 Strawberry shaped ecstasy tablet - Edinburgh The tablet shown is one of a batch recovered in the Edinburgh area in April The tablets are pink colour cut outs in the shape of a strawberry. Scientific analysis identified the drug content as MDMA. They are identical on each side and weigh 0.42g. At the widest points the dimensions are 5.53mm x 10.65mm. There is no information available at this time regarding the dose of MDMA these tablets contain however open source research shows similar designs with an MDMA content of approximately 200mg. Open source research also identifies a range of similar shaped tablets in circulation in different colours containing between 140 mg and 200+ mg of MDMA. Diazepam Thanks to PC Scott Fortune of G Division for the following images of yellow colour 5 milligram Crescent Pharma diazepam tablets in their blister packaging. There has been a marked increase in the availability of 5 mg diazepam tablets in this and other blister packaging form and it is assessed theft at the production / distribution stage is a factor. This supports information that the traditional 10 mg blue tablets on the illicit drugs market are perceived to be either of poor quality or fake. Etizolam, which is not controlled also comes in a blue pill with some having the marking EZ or 1.0 stamped on them. Etizolam is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

2 - 2 - Drugs purchased over the Internet The tablets and powder shown in the following pictures were purchased over the Internet. There is a developing trend toward drugs being packaged in small clear polythene self seal bags with labels attached to them. The labels shown in the pictures are the originals. The internet trade in drugs is established and global with the postal system becoming a preferred method of shipping. There have been a number of incidents of adverse effects reported after pink tablets were consumed. There are different pink tablets in circulation, clonazolam as shown below and in a separate recovery, flubromazolam. It is highly likely there are other drugs circulating in this form. None of the substances shown are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act and the same can be said for their manufacture which is unlikely to be regulated. Adverse reactions are often experienced where poly drug use is involved.

3 - 3 - Methiopropamine tablet Clonazolam tablet Synthacaine powder

4 - 4 - Pictures of drug recoveries at a recent music event in Scotland MDMA MDMA MDMA Circles? Rolls Royce UPS Shield AMPHETAMINE ETHYLONE MDMA Paste Crystals 10 logo MDMA MDMA MDMA Spaceships? Ninja Turtle logo Crystal form There is a rise in the number of drug recoveries in crystal form. MDMA (ecstasy) remains to be the most common however other substances such as ethylone have been identified. It s assessed there will be other drugs in crystal form in circulation with no way of visually distinguishing them from each other. Well made cut out designs of MDMA tablet such as the Rolls Royce, UPS and Ninja Turtle logos shown above, are likely to contain a higher than normal dose of MDMA.

5 gram bars of cannabis resin Dolphin logo The logo shown in the picture above is on a 100 gram bar of cannabis resin. The cannabis resin formed part of a larger seizure along with cannabis the West Area. This type of cannabis resin is commonly referred to as Pollen and is perceived to be better quality, however this is not always the case. Recent MDMA seizures Mitsubishi Crystal form Grenades

6 - 6 - Blotter art It is becoming more common for blotter art to contain NBOME or DOC rather than LSD. The picture shows three designs. The sunflower is at the top, the two other designs remain unidentified. Blotter art is commonly recovered wrapped in a small piece of silver foil to protect it. Mushrooms The picture shows a recent recovery of some prepared mushrooms, the result of the analysis is not available at this time. It is an offence to possess mushrooms found to contain a controlled drug. Unusual tablet content The tablets shown in the following picture are pink in colour with a half score marking one side and blank on the reverse. Scientific analysis identified the content as MDMA and flubromazolam. There are a number of different types of pink tablet in circulation with varying content and users may not know what they are taking.

7 - 7 - Cannabis pressed into half kilo blocks The pictures shown below depict a recent recovery of cannabis in the Glasgow area that was pressed into rectangular blocks each weighing half a kilo (approximately 500grams).

8 - 8 - Acknowledgements Police Scotland North Area STOP Unit DC Craig Reid G Division PC Scott Fortune NHS Lanarkshire Yvonne Canning Police Scotland North Area STOP Unit DS Kenny Lee and DC Brian Davidson Police Scotland Greater Glasgow Serious and Organised Crime, Pro-Active Team Police Scotland West Area STOP Unit Police Scotland East Area STOP Unit Produced by: Mr Kenny Simpson Police Scotland Statement of Opinion (STOP) Unit Coordinator Telephone: or kenny.simpson@scotland.pnn.police.uk