 |  Criminal Investigation, 8/e Charles R. Swanson,
University of Georgia
Neil C. Chamelin,
Assistant State Attorney, Second Judicial Circuit
Leonard Territo,
University of South Florida- Tampa
Recognition, Control, and Investigation of Drug Abuse
Chapter OutlineI. THE OPIUM POPPY (See Slides 19-2 and 19-3) Several drugs are derived from the opium poppy including opium, morphine, heroin, codeine, and other drugs less well known. A. Opium One of the first drugs of abuse was opium. B. Morphine Morphine is obtained from raw opium; 10 pound of raw opium yield 1 pound of morphine. C. Heroin (Diacetylmorphine) Heroin was developed in England in 1874, but it evoked little interest until about 1890, when it was found to be considerably stronger than morphine. D. Codeine The alkaloid codeine is found in raw opium in concentrations from 0.7 to 2.3 percent. It was first isolated in 1832 as an impurity in a batch of morphine. E. Other Opium Derivatives Other opium derivatives abused and stolen from pharmacies, hospitals, and physicians are Dilaudid, Papaverine, and Pantopon. II. SYNTHETIC NARCOTICS (See Slide 19-4) Synthetic narcotics, though chemically related to the opium alkaloids, are produced entirely within the laboratory. A. Meperidine (Pethidine) The commercial name for meperidine is Demerol, and it was the first synthetic narcotic. B. Methadone A heroin-dependent person can be treated with doses of methadone as a replacement for heroin. III. RECOGNIZING AN ADDICT A. The following partial list may be useful in identifying an individual who is addicted to natural or synthetic opiates. 1. The possession of addicting drugs without adequate medical explanation. 2. A tendency on the part of the suspect to hide or conceal these drugs. 3. The presence of needle marks in the form of black or blue spots resembling tattooing. IV. STIMULANTS (See Slide 19-5) Drugs falling into the stimulants group directly stimulate the central nervous system, producing excitation, alertness, wakefulness, and, in some cases, a temporary rise in blood pressure and respiration rate. A. Cocaine (See Slides 19-6, 19-7 and 19-8) Cocaine is a naturally occurring stimulant that is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca). 1. How is it Used? Cocaine is most commonly inhaled, or snorted, through the nose. 2. Acute and Chronic Effects. 3. Cocaine Fatality. There is little question that cocaine can kill you. 4. Freebasing. The practice of freebasing cocaine involves the dissolving of cocaine in a base solution, usually distilled water and calcium carbonate or lactose. 5. Rock Cocaine (Crack). A relatively inexpensive form of cocaine called rock cocaine or crack has grown tremendously in popularity among cocaine users. 6. Profiling and Tracing Cocaine. The prosecution of cocaine conspiracy cases—usually among the most difficult criminal cases to prove—can be made much easier if samples from several street-level dealers can be traced back to a single source. B. Amphetamines Amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine are so closely related chemically that they can be differentiated fro one another only in the laboratory. C. Phenmetrazine (Preludin), Methylphenidate (Ritalin), and Pemoline (Cylert) Phenmetrazine is related chemically to the amphetamines, and its abuse produces similar effects. Like phenmetrazine, methylphenidate is related chemically to amphetamines. It is prescribed for treatment of mild depression in adults and attention deficit disorders in children. Pemoline, like amphetamines, is a stimulant. It was developed early in 1975 and was approved for marketing as a drug to be used in the treatment of hyperactive children. D. Crystalized Methamphetamine Crystalized methamphetamine, better known as crystal meth and speed during the 1960s and 1970s, was originally taken as pills or injected. E. Methcathinone Methcathinone, called cat or goob, is a pyschomotor stimulant with a chemical structure similar to methamphetamine. V. DEPRESSANTS (SEDATIVES) (See Slide 19-9) Depressants or sedatives depress the central nervous system and are prescribed in small doses to reduce restlessness and emotional tension and to induce sleep. A. Glutethimide (Doriden) When introduced in 1954 glutethimide was wrongly believed to be a nonaddictive barbiturate substitute. B. Methaqualone Methaqualone was at one time very popular in the United States but has since been removed from the market. The drug was widely abused because it was mistakenly thought to be safe and nonaddictive and to have aphrodisiac qualities. C. Meprobamate First synthesized in 1960 as a mild tranquilizer, meprobamate is distributed in the United States under the generic name as well as under brand names such as Miltown, Equanil and Deprol. D. OxyContin Another powerful narcotic that is presently sold legally is OxyContin. This drug, which is usually prescribed for cancer patients, has pushed aside marijuana, cocaine, and other narcotics as the drug of choice for addicts and teenage abusers. IV. SPEEDBALLING A. Speedballing is a slang term that refers to the simultaneous ingestion, usually through injection, of heroin (a depressant) and cocaine (a stimulant). VII. HALLUCINOGENS (See Slides 19-10 and 19-11) The hallucinogenic drugs, natural or synthetic, distort perception of objective reality. A. Phencyclidine (PCP) Phencyclidine, commonly called PCP, in pharmaceutically pure form is a solid white powder. 1. How is it Used? PCP is most commonly smoked or snorted. 2. Clinical Aspects. The best known effects of PCP would seem so unpleasant that many have wondered how it could possibly prove popular. 3. Clinical Test for PCP B. Methylenedioxy Methamphetamine (MDMA) Commonly known as MDMA or "ecstacy," is a bitter white power. C. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD 25) LSD is a semisynthetic compound produced from lysergic acid, a natural substance found in ergot fungus, a disease that affect rye and wheat. An average does of 30 to 50 micrograms—about the size of a pinpoint—will take the user on a "trip" lasting 10 to 12 hours. D. Mescaline (Peyote) The primary active ingredient of the peyote cactus is the hallucinogen mescaline, which is derived from the buttons of the plant. Mescaline has been used by the Indians of Central America and the southwestern United States for centuries in religious rites. E. Psilocybin and Psilocyn Psilocybin and psilocyn are obtained from mushrooms generally grown in Mexico. Like mescaline, they have historically been used in Indian rites. F. Marijuana Marijuana is made by crushing or chopping the dried leaves and flowers of the plant into small pieces. The cleaned or manicured leaves are then rolled into a cigarette and smoked. G. Hashish A drug-rich resinous secretion from the flowers of the cannabis plant, hashish is processed by drying to produce a drug several times as potent as marijuana. H. Hashish Oil The Middle East is the main source of hashish entering the United States. Liquid hashish is produced by concentrating THC. I. Ketamine Ketamine hydrochloride is a synthetic drug that was developed in the mid-1960s and is an anesthetic agent that has legitimate uses, mostly in veterinary medicine. VIII. FIELD TESTING FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES Chemical field tests, using reagents and test kits, give valuable clues about the identity of samples. IX. INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES (See Slide19-12) Most of the techniques used in investigating dangerous-drug and narcotics cases are the same as those used in investigating other cases; however there are some unique procedures. A. The Purchase One important aspect is identification of the source. It is desirable to make more than one direct purchase from a seller, if possible. B. The Apprehension All arrests should be as unobtrusive as possible to prevent them from becoming common knowledge on the street. X. DRUG INFORMANTS: MOTIVES, METHODS, AND MANAGEMENT (See Slide 19-13) A. Informants: Motivations and Types Like most people, informants need motivation to produce. 1. Problem Informants. Some informants have personalities that make them difficult, if not impossible, to manage. 2. Egotistical Informants. Investigators who provide this positive reinforcement motivate egotistical informants to continue supplying information. 3. Informants with the James Bond Syndrome. Some persons see their roles as informants as a way to have their lives imitate art. While working as informants, they imagine themselves in a police of spy drama. 4. Wannabe Informants. Wannabe informants are people who, for whatever reason, failed to qualify for a law enforcement position and now see to become involved in law enforcement as informants. 5. Perversely Motivated Informants. These informants offer their services in order to identify undercover agents; learn the department’s methods, targets, and intelligence; or eliminate their own competition in drug sales. 6. Restricted-Use Informants. In addition to problem informants certain other informants, by virtue of their criminal background or other status, pose special management challenges to both investigators and supervisors. B. Department Policy (See Slide 19-14) Agencies should not leave the management of drug informants exclusively to investigators. Formulating a written policy ensures consistency in the use and management of CIs and serves as a guide for inexperienced investigators. 1. The Informant File. 2. Informant Debriefings. Each time investigators initiate investigations on the basis of information received from a CI, the designated handler should interview and debrief the CI in order to ascertain the informant’s motive(s) and to advise the informant of the department’s rules. 3. Investigator-Informant Contact Procedures. The department must establish investigator-informant contact procedures and train employees in their use. 4. Informant Payments. Payments to CIs can be divided into two distinct categories—awards and rewards. XI. THE INVESTIGATOR'S PREVENTION RESPONSIBILITY A. Investigators often can reduce the possibility that a physician or pharmacist will be victimized or can help reduce the magnitude of the loss. XII. DRUG ABUSE BY PRACTITIONERS A. It has always been perplexing to investigators that a professional would become involved with drugs, but doctors do succumb to addiction. XIII. CLANDESTINE DRUG LABORATORIES (See Slide 19-15) Clandestine drug laboratories throughout the United States produce a variety of illegal drugs for sale and distribution. A. Identifying Laboratory Operations Clandestine laboratory operations are typically identified in several ways: fire investigations, information from informants, tips from the community. B. Meth Labs (See Slides 19-16 and 19-17) One of the fastest-growing types of clandestine laboratories is the methamphetamine lab. C. Seizure and Forfeiture Laboratory operators may be arrested under a wide variety of circumstances. Most laboratory operations are closed as the result of police raids following intensive investigative work. D. Conducting a Laboratory Raid (See Slides 19-18 and 19-19) Conducting a raid on an occupied laboratory requires careful planning. Normally, a planning meeting involves the police tactical unit, bomb squad, hazardous-material or chemical-waste disposal personnel, a chemist, and fire department representatives—all of whom are specially trained. XIV. SEARCH WARRANTS AND PROBABLE CAUSE (See Slide 19-20) Officers engaged in drug enforcement must understand the legal elements necessary to constitute probable cause for obtaining search warrants. A. Law Enforcement Background of the Applicant Some factors to be considered in assessing the background of the law enforcement officer seeking the warrant are length of time employed by the agency, present position, familiarity with the offense in question, number of previous arrests made by the applicant for this type of offense, and if applicable, familiarity with any paraphernalia used in connection with the offense. B. Past Reliability of the Confidential Informant The past reliability of the confidential informant is of considerable importance, especially when the effort to determine probable cause to obtain a search warrant is based exclusively on such information. C. Information Supplied by the Informant Information to be considered in this area includes the date, time, and place of the meeting between police and the informant; the substance and content of the information; and the date, time, and place that the information was obtained. D. Corroboration of the Information Supplied All efforts should be made to corroborate information supplied by a confidential informant. XV. EVIDENCE HANDLING AND SECURITY PROBLEMS (See Slide 19-21) A. Aside from the burglaries, larcenies, and other crimes committed because of narcotics, there are additional related problems sprouting from the drug-culture vine. B. The handling and securing of narcotics and dangerous drugs after they are collected and seized, has emerged as an area of growing concern to police administrators for a number of reasons. 1. There are two methods of ensuring the security of the seized drugs: a. The laboratory-first method b. The evidence room-first method |
|
2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education