Research and analysis

Annual report on the Home Office forensic early warning system (FEWS), 2017 to 2018

Updated 4 April 2023

DSTL/PUB140588

29 April 2022

Dstl
Porton Down
Salisbury
Wilts
SP4 0JQ

Release conditions

© Crown copyright (2022), Dstl.

This material is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3) or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Executive summary

Dstl were tasked by the Drugs Misuse and Firearms Unit (DMFU) of the Home Office to produce a summary of the outputs of the Forensic Early Warning System (FEWS) project during the financial year (FY) 2017 to 2018.

The aim of FEWS is to identify trends in new psychoactive substances (NPS) available in the United Kingdom (UK). The NPS trends identified by FEWS may be used as evidence to support future drug legislation. Any new substances which are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1971 can be commissioned for in-vitro testing (to determine whether a substance is capable of causing a psychoactive effect) in order to support the Psychoactive Substances Act (PSA) 2016. FEWS reports any newly identified NPS to the UK Focal Point who creates a watch list of substances within the UK.

During FY 2017 to 2018 the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) coordinated collections to identify NPS from UK Border Force, UK prisons and from vulnerable groups. The findings of these collections have been collated and are summarised in this report. The control status of the drugs identified were correct at the time of collection.

Across all 3 collections, the predominant type of NPS detected were synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA). The SCRA listed are all controlled under the MDA and AMB-FUBINACA and 5F-MDMB-PINACA were the two most prevalent.

Two of the NPS detected in the Border Force collections, 1-(1,3-diphenylpropan-2-yl)pyrrolidine and 4-methylpentan-2-amine (also known as DMBA), were not controlled under the MDA at the time of collection.

There was a slight reduction in the number of NPS identified in 2017 to 2018 compared to 2016 to 2017 Border Force collection. The trend across the FEWS prison data collected since 2014 to 2015 shows that the most prevalent SCRA encountered change each year. However, there were common preferences for several NPS which appear in the ten most prevalent in each year. This was the first year that FEWS coordinated the analysis of samples seized from individuals within the homeless community and from immigration removal centres (IRC).

1. Introduction

1.1 Scope

During the financial year 2017 to 2018, the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) coordinated a collection to identify new psychoactive substances (NPS) in prisons, at Border Force postal hubs and in vulnerable groups across the UK, for the Forensic Early Warning System (FEWS) project.

1.2 New psychoactive substances

The term new psychoactive substances (NPS, sometimes referred to as a novel psychoactive substances) is used to describe substances that are produced to mimic the effects of traditional illicit drugs. These substances might not be recent innovations but are considered new in that they are now being used recreationally as a drug or are available as a recreational drug in the UK. Other definitions of similar substances such as ‘legal highs’ are not fit for purpose as many NPS are now controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971^{[footnote 1]} (from herein referred to as the MDA), and therefore NPS can refer to both controlled and non-controlled substances.

The term NPS in this summary encapsulates all substances that have emerged in the UK recreational drug market since 2008. The addition of a drug to the MDA after 2008 does not exclude it from being referred to as an NPS. Therefore, an NPS has been defined throughout this summary as either a compound controlled by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016^{[footnote 2]} (from herein referred to as the PSA) or a compound controlled by the MDA post-2008.

1.3 The Forensic Early Warning System

The aim of FEWS is to examine trends in the seizures of NPS in the UK such as prisons and border locations and to identify if any new substances emerge in the recreational drug market.

FEWS provides support to the PSA by determining if substances are capable of producing a psychoactive effect. Additionally, the data acquired by FEWS can be shared with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) who may advise the government to control such substances under the MDA.

2. UK Border Force collections

2.1 Sampling

CAST worked with UK Border Force to collect and identify NPS arriving in the UK at five Border Force locations, for FEWS. NPS seizures were collected from 5 postal hubs in the UK.

The collection targeted seizures of suspected NPS samples sent via fast parcels and post. Samples seized by Border Force between August 2017 and March 2018 were submitted. Parcels and post are usually screened using a range of techniques such as x-ray, raman spectroscopy and colorimetric drug testing kits. Following an initial screening of consignments by Border Force employees, the FEWS team were notified of suspected NPS at the targeted hubs. These consignments were then sampled by Border Force or the FEWS team and submitted to forensic service providers (FSPs) within the FEWS NPS network for analysis.

2.2 Analysis

All the samples collected for this collection were submitted to FSPs and were analysed using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 102 samples from the postal hubs were submitted for analysis by these methods, with a further 19 samples that required further analysis involving nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and/or high-resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

2.3 Results

A total of 102 samples from the 5 targeted hubs were submitted for analysis. The summary of the results are detailed in Table 1. Border Force officers were requested to focus the sample collection on possible NPS samples, while the Joint Border Intelligence Unit (JBIU) shared lists of suspected NPS seizure at various postal hubs, which were subsequently sampled. As a result, the data obtained was not representative of all compounds seen at the borders. It was also outside the scope of the work to compare the number of NPS to the number of traditional drugs of abuse detected.

Table 1: NPS detected in samples from the Border Force collection

Controlled NPS

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
AMB-FUBINACA	10	Class B
5F-MDMB-PINACA	4	Class B
N-Ethylhexedrone	4	Class B
Ephylone	2	Class B
AMB-CHMICA	1	Class B
EMB-FUBINACA	1	Class B
5F-MDMB-PICA	1	Class B
3-MeO-PCP	1	Class B
4-Methyl-N-ethylnorpentedrone	1	Class B
Etizolam	2	Class B

Non-controlled NPS

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
1-(1,3-Diphenylpropan-2-yl)pyrrolidine	4	Not controlled
DMBA	1	Not controlled

Controlled traditional drugs of abuse

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
THC (trace)	1	Class B
Zaleplon	3	Class C
4-Chloro-17-methyltestosterone	2	Class C
Testosterone	2	Class C
Alprazolam	1	Class C
4-Chloromethandienone	1	Class C
Mesterolone	1	Class C
Recombinant HGH	1	Class C

The number of occurrences in Table 1 is the total number of times a particular substance was encountered as either a single component or as a mixture with other drug substances. The total occurrence of a drug or a class of drug will therefore not match the number of samples analysed as samples often contained more than one drug or no drugs.

2.3.1 NPS occurrences

Out of the 102 samples analysed, 32 (31%) contained an NPS. There were 12 different NPS detected in total, 10 of which were controlled under the MDA at the time of collection. The most prevalent NPS compound was AMB-FUBINACA, a Class B synthetic cannabinoid.

Two of the NPS detected in this collection, 1-(1,3-diphenylpropan-2-yl)pyrrolidine and 4-methylpentan-2-amine (also known as DMBA) were not controlled under the MDA at the time of collection. This was the first time both compounds had been reported in FEWS and was the first report of 1-(1,3-diphenylpropan-2-yl)pyrrolidine in the UK. 1-(1,3-Diphenylpropan-2-yl)pyrrolidine was first reported to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in November 2017 by Slovenia and by Hungary in March 2018. It was detected in 4 seizures weighing 8.9g, 13.7g, and 2 quantities of 1000g. The large consignments were described as brown crystalline material, while the smaller ones were described as white crystalline materials. The other non-controlled NPS, 4-methylpentan-2-amine, which is structurally similar to DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine), is reported to be a stimulant. It was anticipated that both of these NPS would likely be covered by the PSA at the time of collection (subject to satisfying the conditions of the legislation).

There was a slight reduction in the number of NPS identified when compared to the 2016/17 Border Force collection. Out of the 107 samples analysed in 2016 to 2017, 42 (39%) contained an NPS and 20 different NPS were detected, compared to 2017 to 2018, where 32 (31%) samples contained an NPS and there were 12 different NPS detected.

2.3.2 Other substances

Eight different Class C compounds were identified in this collection with a combination of 10 total occurrences. These include four steroids, human growth hormone, alprazolam, a benzodiazepine and zaleplon, a sedative drug used for the treatment of insomnia. The non-steroidal compounds were seized in powder form. A trace amount of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was detected in a white powder which was identified as containing cannabidiol, a non-controlled, substance present in the cannabis plant.

Fifteen of the samples submitted tested negative for drugs. The rest of the non-controlled compounds detected were mostly industrial chemicals, medicines, food stuff and common cutting agents, such as benzocaine, levamisole and phenacetin, as shown in Appendix A.

2.3.3 Sample types

The majority of the samples submitted (94%) were described as powder, crystalline or rocky material. The remaining samples were herbal materials and capsules; 3 samples each. The sample size ranged from approximately 1g to 27kg in weight.

Fourteen of the samples submitted contained SCRA. Of these, 13 were in powdered samples and one was in a herbal smoking mixture, unlike samples in other FEWS collections which are mainly herbal smoking mixtures or paper. The herbal smoking mixture was found to contain three different compounds, AMB-FUBINACA, AMB-CHMICA and 5F-MDMB-PINACA. One of the powdered samples also contained a mixture of 2 compounds, while the remaining 12 seizures were SCRA and all the other NPS reported contained only one compound.

Etizolam, which is commonly found in tablet form in samples collected through FEWS, was found in powder form in this collection. One of the consignments contained 20 tubs filled with white powder with a combined weight of 7kg; the second consignment weighed 0.66kg.

2.4 Summary

CAST collected samples from 5 UK Border Force locations. Suspected NPS samples seized between August 2017 and March 2018 were submitted for analysis. A total of 102 samples were analysed from which 12 different NPS were detected. The most prevalent NPS was AMB-FUBINACA. Two of the NPS detected were not controlled under the MDA at the time of collection. Both of these NPS were new to FEWS, one of which, 1-(1,3-Diphenylpropan-2-yl)pyrrolidine was new to the UK at the time of collection.

94% of the samples submitted were powders or crystalline rock material. There was a slight reduction in the number of NPS identified compared to the 2016 to 2017 Border Force collection.

3. UK prison collections

3.1 Sampling

Samples were recovered from items found within prison grounds from January 2017 to February 2018. The samples were collected from 16 different prisons and these were classed as non-attributable samples as they cannot be linked to a person and, therefore, no legal charges can be raised for those samples.

An attributable sample is a seized sample where there is a suspect involved and therefore the sample can be attributed to a person or persons. Typically, attributable samples are seized and adopted by police for prosecution whereas non-attributable samples are usually marked for destruction. Data on attributable samples seized between January 2017 and February 2018 were provided to FEWS by a FSP. These samples were found on individuals within prison estates and were submitted for forensic analysis as part of casework.

3.2 Analysis

484 non-attributable samples were collected from 16 prisons across the UK. Samples were submitted to FSPs and were analysed using FTIR and GC-MS. Prison staff and coordinators were requested to focus sample collection on possible NPS samples; however, since it is not possible to visually identify a substance as a suspected controlled drug or NPS without subjecting it to some form of analysis, it was expected that a number of traditional drugs of abuse would be seen. Analysis of these traditional drugs of abuse was not the focus of this report; however, results of these identifications can be found in Appendix B.

3.3 Results

Table 2 shows a summary of results of analysis for NPS. In total, 484 samples were collected, of which 231 contained NPS. Nine of the samples containing NPS were mixed with cannabis and/or nicotine. Out of the 484 samples, 43 compounds were identified, of which 34 (79%) were controlled at the time of seizure. 65% of the samples submitted contained only one drug whereas approximately 18% were composed of a mixture of compounds (see Table 3). 19 different NPS were detected in the collection.

Table 2: NPS detected in non-attributable samples from the prison collection

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
AMB-FUBINACA	140	Class B
5F-MDMB-PINACA	115	Class B
AMB-CHMICA	10	Class B
MDMB-CHMICA	7	Class B
AB-CHMINACA	5	Class B
5F-PB-22	5	Class B
AB-FUBINACA	4	Class B
5F-AKB48	4	Class B
5F-MDMB-PICA	4	Class B
5F-AMB	3	Class B
ADB-FUBINACA	2	Class B
BB-22	2	Class B
5F-AMB-PICA	2	Class B
ADB-CHMINACA	1	Class B
5Cl-AB-PINACA	1	Class B
5F-PB-22 indazole analogue	1	Class B
NM-2201	1	Class B
Chloroethcathinone	1	Class B
Etizolam	3	Class C
Total	311	-

The number of occurrences in Table 2 is the total number of times a particular substance was encountered as either a single component or as a mixture with other drug substances. The total occurrence of a drug or a class of drug will therefore not match the number of samples analysed as samples often contained more than one drug or no drugs.

Table 3: Number of compounds detected in each sample from the prison collection (0 compounds detected means that the results were negative for drugs and/or NPS)

Number of compounds detected per sample	Number of samples	Percentage of samples submitted (%)
0	82	17
1	314	65
2	65	13
3	21	4
4	2	<1

3.3.1 NPS occurrences

All of the NPS in this collection were controlled under the MDA. 227 (47%) of the non-attributable samples analysed contained at least one SCRA. These materials account for 95% of all NPS occurrences. SCRA were detected in 198 herbal samples, 28 paper samples and one powder sample.

AMB-FUBINACA and 5F-MDMB-PINACA were the most prevalent NPS detected and account for 82% of the NPS occurrences from the non-attributable samples. Out of 227 SCRA samples, 61 (27%) contained a mixture of more than one SCRA. SCRA were also detected as mixtures with cannabis, tobacco and caffeine.

5F-MDMB-PICA, a SCRA, was detected for the first time by the FEWS project in this collection. One of the UK’s FSPs first reported this drug in March 2017 and it was also being detected in Europe.

Etizolam and chloroethcathinone were the only two NPS detected which were not SCRA. Chloroethcathinone was detected as a single substance in one powder sample. Etizolam was also detected as a single substance in 3 samples; in powder, paper and tablet form. These two NPS were both recovered in Scotland.

17 different NPS were found in the attributable sample data set, four of which were not detected in the non-attributable samples; XLR-11, SDB-005, FUBIMINA and 5F-ADB-PINACA (see Table 4). Out of the 4 compounds, only XLR-11 had been seen in prison collections previously. FUBIMINA had not been reported to the EMCDDA by the UK but it had been detected in police casework since October 2015. The prison sample containing SDB-005 was the first occurrence of the drug in the UK and it was detected in December 2017.

Six NPS detected in the non-attributable data were not seen in the attributable data; etizolam, BB-22, 5F-PB-22 indazole analogue, NM-2201, 5Cl-AB-PINACA and chloroethcathinone. This variation could be due to the different prisons from which samples were collected. The attributable data covered a wider range of prisons (approximately 33 in total) but did not include Scotland. The data sets were similar; showing that the majority of the NPS in prisons were SCRA and the most prevalent NPS in both sets of data were 5F-MDMB-PINACA and AMB-FUBINACA (see Table 2 and Table 4). All of the NPS reported were controlled.

Table 4: NPS detected in attributable samples from the prison collection

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
5F-MDMB-PINACA	98	Class B
AMB-FUBINACA	88	Class B
MDMB-CHMICA	32	Class B
AB-CHMINACA	11	Class B
5F-AKB48	9	Class B
ADB-CHMINACA	6	Class B
5F-MDMB-PICA	5	Class B
ADB-FUBINACA	4	Class B
AMB-CHMICA	4	Class B
XLR-11	4	Class B
5F-PB-22	3	Class B
5F-AMB-PICA	3	Class B
AB-FUBINACA	1	Class B
5F-ADB-PINACA	1	Class B
5F-AMB	1	Class B
FUBIMINA	1	Class B
SDB-005	1	Class B
Total	272	-

3.3.2 Other substances

15 different traditional drugs of abuse were detected, of which the most prevalent was cannabis, found in 96 samples. Other compounds identified included cocaine (10 occurrences) and eight different steroids with a combined total of 24 occurrences. 82 of the samples submitted did not contain a drug. This was an increase compared to the prison collection in 2016 to 2017 in which 28 samples did not contain a drug. 39 of the 82 samples were paper (48%); therefore the increase could have been due to the increased quantity of paper samples which were suspected to have been impregnated. The remaining 55 non-controlled occurrences comprised of tobacco, cutting agents and medicines. Full details can be found in Appendix B.

3.3.3 Sample types

A variety of sample types were seized (see Figure 1), of which the majority were herbal material (66%). Three glove samples, one paint sample and one sample of clothing were also submitted, all of which tested negative for drugs.

Figure 1: Types of samples submitted for analysis for the prison collection.

Of the 68 paper samples, 39 (57%) tested negative for drugs; however, one or more drugs or NPS were detected on the remaining 29 samples. Paper samples were first seen in the 2015/16 collection and it was considered possible that the method of concealment was increasing or, alternatively, that prison officers were more aware of the type of concealment. In 2015 to 2016 and 2016 to 2017, 4 and 15 paper samples, respectively, were impregnated with at least one drug. Etizolam was detected on one of the paper samples in this collection, while the remaining 28 paper samples were soaked or impregnated with SCRA, including 8 samples which contained more than one NPS.

3.3.4 Previous collection trends

Ten of the prisons which participated in the 2016 to 2017 collection were also part of this collection, together with 6 other prisons.

19 different NPS were detected through FEWS in 2017 to 2018, 20 NPS in 2016 to 2017, 23 NPS in 2015 to 2016 and 15 NPS in 2014 to 2015. The most prevalent NPS in 2017 to 2018 was AMB-FUBINACA, which was the tenth most prevalent in 2015/16 so it has increased in frequency over 2 years (see Figure 2). 5F-MDMB-PINACA was the most prevalent compound in 2016 to 2017 and it is the second most prevalent in this collection. In 2015 to 2016, 5F-AKB48 and MDMB-CHMICA were the most prevalent NPS detected; these are now the seventh and fourth most prevalent NPS respectively. Figure 2 shows the prevalence over time.

Figure 2: Order of prevalence since 2015/16 for the top seven NPS detected in the prison collection in 2017 to 2018.

A number of NPS were identified uniquely in each year of the prison collections. These are shown in Table 5. In 2017 to 2018, only 3 compounds were unique to the collection that had not been seen in previous FEWS prison results.

Table 5: NPS unique to each prison collection since 2014 to 2015

2014 to 2015	2015 to 2016	2016 to 2017	2017 to 2018
PB-22	FUB-PB-22	FUB-AKB48	5F-MDMB-PICA
AKB-48 (APINACA)	AB-PINACA	Diclazepam	5Cl-AB-PINACA
ADB-PINACA	MDMB-CHMCZCA		Chloroethcathinone
MAM-2201	AM-2201 indazole
UR-144	Ethylone (bk-MDEA)
	CUMYL-5FPINACA
	JWH-018 indazole

3.4 Summary

CAST collected samples from prisons across the UK from January 2017 to February 2018. 231 samples of NPS were detected from the 484 samples analysed. 19 different NPS were identified and all of these were controlled under the MDA. 95% of NPS occurrences were SCRA. Etizolam and chloroethcathinone were the only exceptions and these drugs were detected in samples submitted from 2 of the 5 Scottish prisons participating in the FEWS project.

AMB-FUBINACA and 5F-MDMB-PINACA were the most prevalent NPS in the collection and account for 82% of the NPS occurrences.

6% of the samples submitted were papers which were impregnated with an NPS compared to 5% of samples in 2016 to 2017 and 1% of samples in 2015 to 2016. There has been an increase of this sample type since 2015 to 2016 and this could be due to this method being increasingly used as a route of concealment, or that prison officers were becoming more aware of the problem, leading to increased recovery rates.

The non-attributable FEWS data was compared to attributable casework data supplied by an FSP. The data was similar; showing the majority of the NPS detected in the prisons samples submitted were SCRA and the most prevalent NPS were 5F-MDMB-PINACA and AMB-FUBINACA. All of the NPS reported in both sets of data were controlled. SDB-005 was detected for the first time in the UK in an attributable sample from a prison in December 2017.

The trend across the FEWS prison data collected since 2014 to 2015 shows that the most prevalent SCRA encountered change each year. However, there were common preferences for several NPS which appear in the 10 most prevalent in each year. Three of the NPS seen in 2017/18, 5F-MDMB-PICA, 5Cl-AB-PINACA and chloroethcathinone, had not been reported in previous FEWS prison collections.

4. Vulnerable group collections

CAST facilitated the analysis of samples suspected to contain NPS seized from individuals within 2 vulnerable group communities.

The aim of the collection was to obtain information on NPS being encountered within these communities for FEWS.

4.1 Sampling and analysis

The FEWS team coordinated the analysis of samples seized by the police as part of routine patrols. These were seized from individuals within the homeless community between April 2017 and September 2017.

A second route of collection was carried out in partnership with immigration removal centres (IRC). The samples were non-attributable and suspected NPS were found between February 2018 and March 2018.

The samples were submitted to FSPs within the FEWS NPS network and were analysed using GC-MS.

4.2 Results

In total, 36 samples were received for analysis which included 12 samples from the homeless community and 24 samples from IRC.

4.2.1 NPS occurrences

Of the 36 samples analysed, 25 (69%) were found to contain an NPS. Seven different NPS were identified and they were all Class B SCRA.

The most prevalent substance encountered was 5F-MDMB-PINACA. This compound was detected in 18 samples as either a single substance (12 occurrences), as a mixture with AMB-FUBINACA (5 occurrences in IRC samples only), or as a mixture with three other compounds, 5F-AKB48, STS‑135, and 5F-UR-144 (one occurrence).

All other NPS that were detected during the vulnerable group collection can be seen in Table 6.

Table 6: Results obtained from the vulnerable group collection

NPS

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
5F-MDMB-PINACA	18	Class B
AMB-FUBINACA	7	Class B
MDMB-CHMICA	6	Class B
5F-AKB48	1	Class B
5F-MDMB-PICA	1	Class B
5F-UR-144/XLR-11	1	Class B
STS-135	1	Class B

Controlled traditional drugs of abuse

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
Cannabis	7	Class B
Cannabis Resin	1	Class B

Other

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
Tobacco	2	Not controlled
Creatine	1	Not controlled

The number of occurrences in Table 6 is the total number of times a particular substance was encountered as either a single component or as a mixture with other drug substances. The total occurrence of a drug or a class of drug will therefore not match the number of samples analysed as samples often contained more than one drug or no drugs.

4.2.2 Sample types

All of the NPS samples seized within homeless communities were green herbal material. Seven of these were contained in branded/labelled packaging such as ‘Joker’, ‘Albino’ and ‘Kronic Black Label’. There were 3 samples labelled as ‘Joker’, all 3 contained MDMB-CHMICA including one mixed with AMB-FUBINACA. The remaining 5 samples were contained in either hand rolled cigarette papers or grip sealed bags. 21 of the samples submitted by IRC were either packaged in paper wraps or heat/grip sealed plastic bags. One item appeared to be the inner material/stuffing of a cushion, containing a small amount of green herbal material and one item was a tissue/paper fragment which had been soaked or sprayed with liquid. 5F-MDMB-PINACA was identified on the paper sample. One sample of herbal material was concealed in a pen lid covered with foil; this was found to be cannabis.

4.2.3 Other substances

Eight of the samples submitted by IRC contained cannabis, including one sample which was reported as cannabis resin. A capsule containing white powder was identified as creatine and 2 other samples were found to contain only tobacco.

4.3 Summary

CAST facilitated the analysis of suspected NPS samples seized from the homeless community and non-attributable samples found on the premises at 5 IRCs. The samples were analysed as part of the FEWS project vulnerable group collection.

All the NPS detected in this collection were Class B SCRA, of which, 5F-MDMB-PINACA was the most prevalent, followed by AMB-FUBINACA and MDMB-CHMICA. Seven of the samples from the homeless communities were in branded packaging, whereas the majority of samples from IRC were plastic packaging. One of the samples obtained from IRC was a paper item which had been soaked or sprayed with a liquid containing 5F-MDMB-PINACA.

List of abbreviations and chemical codes

AB-CHMINACA

(S)-N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

AB-FUBINACA

(S)-N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

AB-PINACA

(S)-N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

ACMD

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

ADB-CHMINACA

(S)-N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (also known as MAB-CHMINACA)

ADB-FUBINACA

N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

ADB-PINACA

N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

AKB48

N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (also known as APINACA)

AM-2201 indazole analogue

(1-(5-Fluoropentyl)-1H-indazol-3-yl)(naphthalen-1-yl)methanone (also known as 5F-JWH-018-N, 5F-THJ-018 and THJ-2201)

AMB-CHMICA

Methyl (1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonyl)-L-valinate

AMB-FUBINACA

Methyl (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carbonyl)-L-valinate (also known as FUB-AMB and MMB-FUBINACA)

BB-22

Quinolin-8-yl 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (also known as QUCHIC)

Bk-MDEA

1-(Benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-(ethylamino)propan-1-one (also known as ethylone)

BMK

Benzyl methyl ketone

CAST

Centre for Applied Science and Technology

5Cl-AB-PINACA

(S)-N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(5-chloropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

CUMYL-5FPINACA

1-(5-Fluoropentyl)-N-(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

DMAA

1,3-Dimethylamylamine

DMBA

4-Methylpentan-2-amine (also known as 1,3-dimethylbutylamine)

DMFU

Drugs Misuse and Firearms Unit

EMB-FUBINACA

Ethyl (1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carbonyl)-L-valinate

EMCDDA

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction

5F-AKB48

N-((3s,5s,7s)-adamantan-1-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

5F-AMB

Methyl (1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carbonyl)-L-valinate

5F-AMB-PICA

Methyl (1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carbonyl)-L-valinate (also known as 5F-MMB-PICA, MMB-2201 and I-AMB)

5F-MDMB-PICA

Methyl (S)-2-(1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (also known as 5F-MDMB-2201 and MDMB-2201)

5F-MDMB-PINACA

Methyl (S)-2-(1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (also known as 5F-ADB)

5F-PB-22

Quinolin-8-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate

5F-PB-22 indazole analogue

Quinolin-8-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxylate (also known as 5F-NPB-22 and QCBL(N)2201)

FEWS

Forensic early warning system

FSP

Forensic service provider

FTIR

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

FUB-AKB48

N-((3s,5s,7s)-adamantan-1-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide

FUBIMINA

(1-(5-Fluoropentyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(naphthalen-1-yl)methanone (also known as AM-2201 benzimidazole analogue)

FUB-PB-22

Quinolin-8-yl 1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate(also known as QCBL-Bz-F and MN-27)

FY

Financial year

GC-MS

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry

IRC

Immigration removal centre

JBIU

Joint Border Intelligence Unit

JWH-018 indazole analogue

1-Naphthalenyl(1-pentyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)-methanone

LC-MS

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

MAM-2201

(1-(5-Fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)(4-methylnaphthalen-1-yl)methanone

MDA

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

MDMB-CHMCZCA

Methyl-2-(1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-9H-carbazol-3-ylcarbonylamino)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate

MDMB-CHMICA

Methyl (S)-2-(1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (also known as MMB-CHMINACA)

4-MEAP

4-Methyl-N-ethylnorpentedrone (also known as NEMNP)

3-MeO-PCP

1-(1-(3-Methoxyphenyl)cyclohexyl)piperidine

NM-2201

Naphthalen-1-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate

NMR

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

NPS

New psychoactive substances

PB-22

Quinolin-8-yl 1-pentyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (also known as QUPIC)

PSA

Psychoactive Substances Act 2016

Recombinant HGH

Human growth gormone

SCRA

Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists

SDB-005

Naphthalen-​1-​yl-1-​pentyl-​1H-​indazole-​3-​ carboxylate

STS-135

N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide (also known as 5-fluoro APICA)

THC

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol

UK

United Kingdom

UR-144

(1-Pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone

XLR-11

(1-(5-Fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (also known as 5F-UR-144)

Appendix A: Summary of other substances detected in the Border Force collection

Table 7: Other substances detected in samples from the Border Force collection

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
AOD9604	1	Not controlled
Benzocaine	2	Not controlled
BMK	1	Not controlled
Boric acid	1	Not controlled
Cannabidiol	1	Not controlled
Citicoline	1	Not controlled
Creatine	1	Not controlled
Dimetridazole	1	Not controlled
Glycerophosphocholine	1	Not controlled
Higenamine	1	Not controlled
Inorganic salt	2	Not controlled
Levamisole	1	Not controlled
Melatonin	1	Not controlled
Negative/unidentified	15	Not controlled
Neopentyl glycol	1	Not controlled
3-Oxo-2-phenylbutanamide	6	Not controlled
Paroxetine	1	Not controlled
Phenacetin	1	Not controlled
Piperonyl methyl ketone methyl glycidate	1	Not controlled
Sibutramine	2	Not controlled
Sirolimus	1	Not controlled
Starch	6	Not controlled
Stearic acid	1	Not controlled
Sugar	1	Not controlled
Tadalafil	2	Not controlled
Terephthalate co-polymer	1	Not controlled
Thymosin Beta 4	1	Not controlled
Uridine	1	Not controlled
YKL-06-061 Suntan	1	Not controlled
3,3’-Diindolylmethane	1	Not controlled

Appendix B: Summary of other substances detected in the prison collection

Table 8: Traditional drugs of abuse detected in non-attributable samples from the prison collection

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
Alprazolam	1	Class C
Boldenone	2	Class C
Buprenorphine	13	Class C
Cannabis (herbal, resin and extract)	96	Class B
Cocaine	10	Class A
Diamorphine	3	Class A
Methadone	1	Class A
Methandienone	5	Class C
Methasterone	1	Class C
Methyltestosterone	2	Class C
Oxandrolone	2	Class C
Oxymetholone	5	Class C
Testosterone	6	Class C
Trenbolone	1	Class C
Zopiclone	1	Class C
Total	149	-

Table 9: Other substances detected in non-attributable samples from the prison collection

Substances	Occurrences	Classification under MDA
Caffeine	13	Not controlled
Gabapentin	2	Not controlled
Mirtazapine	2	Not controlled
Naproxen	1	Not controlled
Negative	82	Not controlled
Olanzapine	2	Not controlled
Paracetamol	6	Not controlled
Phenacetin	1	Not controlled
Pregabalin	4	Not controlled
Tobacco/nicotine	24	Not controlled
Total	137	-

1. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (PDF, 4.75MB). ↩

2. Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. ↩