Signature profiling of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl-related seizures for tactical and strategic

intelligence

ABSTRACT

The United States is currently in the midst of an unprecedented illicit fentanyl crisis. In the last
year, there have been more known fentanyl-related overdose deaths than in the past 60 years. The
current crisis is multi-faceted and involves a global supply of the drug and related substances being
smuggled into the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administrations Special Testing and
Research Laboratory recently developed several methodologies for signature profiling of illicit
fentanyl and fentanyl-related seizures. These methodologies include: 1) quantitative determination
of fentanyl, adulterants, and diluents via nuclear magnetic resonance and/or gas chromatography-
flame ionization detection, 2) quantitative determination of occluded processing solvents via static
headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, 3) identification of trace synthetic impurities
(route-specific and non-specific markers) from clandestine synthesis via gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry, 4) isolation of pure fentanyl via liquid-liquid extraction and preparative high
performance liquid chromatography for isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), and 5)
conversion of purified fentanyl to 4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine (4-ANPP) for IRMS
determination of the carbon isotope signature of the propionyl group through isotopic mass
balance. Profiles of fentanyl isotopes, trace components, occluded solvents, and cutting agents can
chemically link fentanyl seizures where relationships were previously unknown or only suspected.
These relationships can be used as intelligence for tactical and strategic law enforcement.
Capabilities currently being used for tactical intelligence include sample-to-sample and sample-to-
database comparisons. Law enforcement is thereby given new investigative leads for developing
conspiracy cases and/or elucidating trafficking routes.