Annual report on the Home Office forensic early warning system (FEWS), 2020 to 2021

Question 1

Executive summary

Accepted Answer

Dstl was 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) 2020 to 2021.

The aim of FEWS is to identify trends in new psychoactive substances (NPS) available in the United Kingdom. The NPS trends identified by FEWS may be used as evidence to support future drug legislation. Any new substances which are not currently controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1971 are commissioned for in-vitro testing (to determine whether a compound 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. The UK Focal point creates a watch list of compounds within the UK and until recently, reported to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

This year, FEWS has collected samples of suspected NPS from UK Border Force (UKBF) locations and data of suspected NPS seized from UK prisons. This report summarises the work carried out for FEWS in the financial year of 2020 to 2021.

To monitor the prevalence of NPS samples at UKBF locations, FEWS collected 519 samples from Postal Hubs. 1cP-LSD and para-Fluoro-4-methylaminorex were new NPS detected in these collections. Additionally, flualprazolam and flunitrazolam were detected on paper samples.

Fentanyl became a target substance under FEWS this year as part of a response to a recommendation made by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). Two fentanyl patches were detected and a sample containing octfentanil was tentatively identified.

To monitor the prevalence of NPS in UK prisons, data was collected from forensic service providers (FSPs) reporting NPS samples that can be attributed to a person (attributable samples). Additionally, non-attributable samples (that cannot be associated to a person) were collected and analysed.

625 attributable samples containing 637 substances were collected from at least 56 prisons across at least 29 UK counties or regions (North Wales, South Wales and Northern Ireland) with 160 NPS identified.

1,426 non-attributable samples were analysed from 5 prisons in the South of England with 30 NPS identified. Less unique NPS compounds were detected this year in non-attributable samples in comparison to 2015 to 2016.

Question 2

1.  Introduction

Accepted Answer

Dstl coordinated collections to identify new psychoactive substances (NPS) in prisons and at Border Force (BF) locations across the United Kingdom (UK) for the Forensic Early Warning System (FEWS) project.

NPS (sometimes referred to as novel psychoactive substances) is a general term used for compounds that are produced to mimic the effects of traditional illicit drugs. These compounds 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 compounds such as ‘legal highs’ are not fit for purpose as many NPS are now controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971^{[footnote 1]}, and therefore NPS can refer to both controlled and non-controlled substances.

The Home Office’s expert review panel defined NPS as: ‘Psychoactive drugs, newly available in the UK, which are not prohibited by the United Nations Drug Conventions but which may pose a public health threat comparable to that posed by substances listed in these conventions’.^{[footnote 2]} The term NPS in this report encapsulates all compounds that have emerged in the UK recreational drug market since 2008. The addition of a drug to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 after 2008 does not exclude it from being referred to as an NPS. Therefore, an NPS has been defined throughout this report as either a compound controlled by the PSA 2016 or a compound controlled by the MDA 1971 post-2008.

It is not always clear whether prevalence of a controlled medicine is due to legitimate use or misuse and, therefore, medicines suspected of abuse are marked in this report as suspected NPS. Occasionally, evidence of the misuse of controlled medicines becomes prevalent, for example, with pregabalin^{[footnote 3]}, which, due to its misuse, was added to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as a Class C drug in 2019; it is therefore a confirmed NPS.

The aim of FEWS is to examine trends in the variety of NPS available in the UK including prisons and border locations and to identify if any new substances emerge in the recreational drug market. This activity is carried out for the Home Office Drugs Misuse and Firearms Unit (DMFU).

UK borders are a target for understanding what the trends are for emerging drugs entering the UK. Furthermore, understanding the variety of compounds entering the UK allows for a development of drug detection libraries increasing the capability of detection equipment at the borders. Similarly, UK prisons are a source of information because of the high prevalence of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) misuse. The misuse of SCRAs in prisons is a large issue as a result of the drugs-related harm, violence and debt that it causes.^{[footnote 4]}

During the last year, and covered in this report, Dstl arranged the collection of data from NPS samples that were seized in UK prisons and had been analysed by forensic service providers (FSPs) in the FEWS-NPS Network. The FSPs cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so the data provides a representative regional spread across the UK.

As agreed with DMFU, physical samples were not collected directly from prisons in order to focus efforts on collating a larger data set from more sources as well as reducing the burden on prison officers. Instead, the data from NPS samples seized in UK prisons was obtained for analysis.

Dstl arranged collections of suspected NPS samples direct from the Border Force postal hubs to be analysed by an FSP. Additionally, data from FSPs, primarily from seized samples adopted by the police, was also collected to increase the value of the data set.

The data relating to NPS samples collected through FEWS provides information on the prevalence of emerging drug threats. FEWS interacts with FSPs to obtain information on NPS prevalence and any pending prosecutions involving NPS. The information contributes to decisions to test NPS samples further in order to determine whether the compound is ‘capable of causing a psychoactive effect’ within the definition of the Psychoactive Substances Act (PSA) 2016.^{[footnote 5]} If further testing is warranted, FEWS acquires a reference material of a compound that is to be tested, and commissions the testing of the compound against a panel of pre-determined receptors to establish its potential for psychoactivity. The support to the PSA 2016 that FEWS carries out is described in the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 Forensic Strategy document.^{[footnote 6]}

During the last year, FEWS collected additional samples of cocaine, heroin, unknown powders and suspected fentanils that had not been adopted (un-adopted samples) by a police service. The approach to target these samples was a direct result of a recommendation made by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) for FEWS to increase capacity to analyse un-adopted police and border force seizures and was agreed by the Home Office in the response to their recommendation.^{[footnote 7]}

Question 3

2.  Sampling and analysis

Accepted Answer

Dstl coordinated a collection of suspected NPS samples from Border Force and data of NPS samples seized at prison locations within the UK. The prison sample set comprised of two sample types, ‘attributable’ and ‘non-attributable’. The attributable sample data was sourced from FSPs in the FEWS-NPS network. Attributable samples are samples that can be attributed to an individual prisoner. Currently FEWS receive attributable data directly from FSPs. Data of attributable samples was requested from FSPs covering the timeframe of 1 March 2020 to 1 January 2021 to ensure that they could be included in this report.

The attributable samples were analysed by the FSPs using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The compounds identified were confirmed using pure reference material. However, where the reference materials were not available, the identification was obtained by matching the chromatographic and mass spectra data to a chemical library available on the instrument used and recorded as a tentative identification.

The non-attributable samples would have ordinarily been disposed of and not analysed. The non-attributable samples were collected from the prisons and from postal hubs by UK Border Force staff. The Border Force samples were found in fast parcels and were selected based on intelligence profiling and some limited pre-screening using drug detection kits and spectroscopy.

The Border Force samples were collected between February 2020 and February 2021. The samples were submitted to FSPs for analysis. Border Force seized a total of 519 samples. Within the 519 seizures, which often contained more than one substance, 653 compounds were identified. Within the 519 samples there were 4 materials that remained unidentified following FSP analysis and were therefore submitted for further analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).

The non-attributable samples collected from prisons were obtained in August/September 2020 from 5 prisons in Surrey and Somerset. 44% (623 of 1426) of the samples were items such as paper or card, which were suspected to be impregnated with drugs. These samples were submitted to their partner laboratory for analysis using an accurate mass ion mobility quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (Q-TOF LC-MS) system. The remaining samples were analysed in-house by TICTAC Communications using FTIR and GC-MS.

Question 4

3.  Analysis of samples from UK Border Force collections

Accepted Answer

3.1 Collection overview

The FEWS UKBF collections this year included the analysis of traditional drugs that may be adulterated with fentanils as well as samples of suspected NPS as described in the previous section. A number of cocaine (57), heroin (54) and unknown powders (30) were collected for analysis as a response to an ACMD recommendation^{[footnote 7]} which stated that FEWS should increase capacity to analyse un-adopted police and border force seizures for the intention of detecting fentanils.

3.2 Sample variations in UKBF collections

The suspected NPS samples collected by FEWS during FY 2020 to 2021 UKBF collections covered a range of forms similar to what has been observed in previous collections, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Forms of sample in BF collections during FY 2020 to 2021.

3.3 NPS occurrences in UKBF collections during FY 2020 to 2021

519 samples were collected and analysed of which, in 21 of the samples, there was no compound detected. Some of the 519 samples contained more than one compound resulting in a total of 653 compounds detected, of which 202 were NPS. NPS, controlled substances under the MDA 1971 and other compounds detected in the samples are shown in Figure 2. Out of the 202 NPS compounds detected, 41 were unique or had not been seen in FEWS previously. A full detailed list of these compounds can be found in Appendix A. The 202 detected NPS types are shown in Figure 3.

Figure 2: NPS, controlled substance and other compounds detected in UKBF collections during FY 2020 to 2021.

Figure 3: NPS types detected in the UKBF collections during FY 2020 to 2021.

3.4 Novel substances identified in UKBF collections during FY 2020 to 2021

1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidin-1-ylheptan-1-one

The cathinone, 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidin-1-ylheptan-1-one, was detected in a liquid. This compound is controlled under the generic cathinone clause of the MDA 1971 as a class B drug (S.I. 1207). However, it is the first time it has been detected in a FEWS collection plan.

LSD derivatives

1P-LSD and 1cP-LSD are derivatives of LSD that were detected in paper tabs.

Para-Fluoro-4-methylaminorex

para-Fluoro-4-methylaminorex was detected in a powder sample.

Methoxphenidine

The arylcyclohexylamine was found in a letter.

NSI-189

The piperazine, NS1-189, was identified in a sample of crystals.

βk-2C-B

The phenethylamine, βk-2C-B, was detected in a sample of powder.

Flunitrazolam and Flualprazolam

The benzodiazepines, flunitrazolam and flualprazolam, were detected in tablets and on paper tabs originating from the Netherlands. It is unusual to see benzodiazepines impregnated on paper. This could be an emerging trend for benzodiazepines.

Both flunitrazolam and flualprazolam are due to be controlled in an amendment to the MDA 1971 following a recommendation by the ACMD.^{[footnote 8]}

3.5 Additional compounds detected by further analysis

The following compounds have very recently been confirmed using NMR spectroscopy. Due to the time taken for this additional analysis, these compounds have not been included in the initial reporting of the UKBF data above.

4-Acetoxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine and 4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine

These tryptamines were identified in samples of brown powder. These compounds are controlled under the generic tryptamine clause of the MDA 1971 as a Class A drug; however it is the first time they have been detected in a FEWS collection plan.

Deoxymethoxetamine

This Arylcyclohexylamine was identified in a powder sample. This compound is controlled under the generic phenylcyclohexylamine clause of the MDA 1971 as a Class B drug however it is the first time it had been detected in a FEWS collection plan.

3.6 Other substances detected

A range of traditional controlled drugs of abuse were detected, detailed in Appendix A. In response to an ACMD recommendation, additional suspected samples of heroin and cocaine were analysed. This accounts for the relatively high number of traditional controlled drugs detected compared to other years.

3.7 Fentanils detected during UKBF collections in FY 2020 to 2021

Fentanyl was identified in 2 patches. Fentanyl transdermal patches are typically used medically to relieve severe pain over an extended time period.

Ocfentanil was tentatively identified in a sample of brown powder (no certified reference material available to confirm ID). Further analysis is required to confirm the identification.

Question 5

4.  Analysis of samples from the UK prisons collection

Accepted Answer

4.1 Attributable samples from the UK prisons collection

625 attributable samples containing 637 substances (some samples contained more than one substance) were collected from at least 56 prisons across at least 29 UK counties or regions (North Wales, South Wales and Northern Ireland).

The map in Figure 4 shows the distribution of the samples collected by county or region.

Figure 4: County or region where attributable prison samples were collected. The size of the circle relates to the number of samples collected from that region.

4.1.1 Sample variation

Samples collected varied in content. Out of the 625 attributable samples (where, due to multiple compounds being present, 637 compounds were detected), 92 samples (15%) were reported with no compounds detected (Figure 5). In attributable samples where a compound was detected, 74% were controlled substances (Figure 6).

Figure 5: Number of attributable samples reported as no compound detected.

Figure 6: Number of attributable samples where a controlled substance was detected.

Figure 7 shows the breakdown of the 637 detected compounds by whether they are an NPS, a traditional controlled drug under the MDA 1971 or another type of compound. The ‘other’ category contains compounds such as nicotine or pharmaceutical drugs that are not controlled. A full list is given in Appendix A.

Figure 7: Content of attributable samples broken down by NPS, traditional controlled drugs and other.

Amongst the attributable samples, there were compounds detected in various forms such as powders, capsules and herbal material, the forms of each sample is shown in Figure 8 (data shown for 317 out of 637 samples). It is worth noting that some of the sample types may be similar, for example, a solid and powder or sticky material may be similar to a residue. An external party provided the descriptions of the samples and, unfortunately, this information was not complete but the data provides a general overview.

It can be seen in Figure 8 that NPS occur most often in paper samples. Paper samples come in the form of a drug that has been impregnated on to a piece of paper. This is interesting because SCRAs, for example, used to be primarily detected on herbal material, but in this data no NPS was found on herbal material.

Figure 8: Content of the attributable samples by sample type.

In the attributable data, there was a large number of traditional controlled drugs detected, which are not relevant to the remit of FEWS. Therefore, in Figure 9, the NPS compounds detected can be shown by prevalence and type, for example, a cannabinoid or cathinone. Figure 9 shows that the most prevalent type of NPS in prisons were SCRAs with the top 3 being 4F-MDMB-BINACA, MDMB-4en-PINACA and 5F-MDMB-PICA. It is important to note that frequently in the attributable data; more than one SCRA was detected in a single sample, which is demonstrated in Table 1. Figure 10 shows the form in which the NPS samples were found. It is evident that the majority of SCRA samples were found on paper.

Figure 9: NPS compounds detected within the attributable data in UK prisons during FY 2020 to 2021.

Table 1: Occurrences of more than one SCRA detected in a single attributable sample in UK prisons during FY 2020 to 2021

Primary SCRA detected	Secondary SCRA detected	Number of samples where the combination of SCRAs were detected in a single sample
4F-MDMB-BINACA	5F-MDMB-PICA	10
5F-MDMB-PICA	MDMB-4en-PINACA	2
AMB-FUBINACA	5F-MDMB-PINACA	1
MDMB-4en-PINACA	4F-MDMB-BINACA	2
MDMB-4en-PINACA	5F-EMB-PICA	1

Figure 10: Forms of NPS detected in UK prisons during FY 2020 to 2021.

4.1.2 Novel substances identified in UK prisons attributable samples during FY 2020 to 2021

The following substances have not been previously detected in FEWS prison collections and as such, are novel substances of interest to FEWS that should be monitored.

5F-EMB-PICA

The SCRA, 5F-EMB-PICA, was detected in an impregnated paper sample collected from a prison in Scotland in May 2020.The sample also contained MDMB-4en-PINACA. 5F-EMB-PICA was first in identified in Europe in materials seized by Belgium customs at the end of 2020 Q1. This result presented by FEWS is likely to be the same sample as reported by Norman et al^{[footnote 9]} due to the similarities in time and location of seizure reported in the literature and the collection. 5F-EMB-PICA is a controlled Class B drug under the MDA 1971 via the SCRA generic legislation (S.I. 1109 and S.I. 1323).

Eutylone

The cathinone, eutylone, was detected in a sample collected from a prison in June 2020. FEWS did not receive information about the sample regarding the type e.g., powder or tablet. It is notable that eutylone has been mentioned by the ACMD as a compound for concern having been seen regularly in MDMA samples. Eutylone is a controlled Class B drug under the MDA 1971 controlled by the cathinone generic legislation (S.I. 1207).

MMB-FUBICA

The SCRA, MMB-FUBICA, was detected in a sample collected from a prison in Staffordshire in May 2020. FEWS did not receive a description of the sample. MMB-FUBICA is a controlled Class B drug under the MDA 1971 via the SCRA generic legislation (S.I. 1109 and S.I. 1323).

Flubromazolam^{[footnote 10]}

The benzodiazepine, Flubromazolam, was collected from a prison in Devon in April 2020. FEWS did not receive a description of the sample. Flubromazolam is a named Class C drug in the MDA 1971.

4.2 Non-attributable samples from the UK prisons collection

1,426 non-attributable samples were analysed from 5 prisons across Surrey and Bristol. Within these samples, there were frequently more than one compound detected and as a result, a total of 2,003 compounds were detected. In 245 samples, no compounds of interest were identified (17%). In 58% of the samples, a controlled substance as defined by the MDA 1971 was identified.

Where compounds were detected within the samples, a breakdown of whether the detected compound is an NPS, controlled drug under the MDA 1971 or other is visualised in Figure 11. As multiple compounds were often detected in a sample, the number of compounds detected exceeds the number of samples analysed.

Figure 11: Non-attributable compounds detected broken down by NPS, traditional controlled drug or other.

Figure 12 describes the form the samples were found in. A large number of paper samples were analysed, of which a large portion contained NPS.

Figure 12: Forms of non-attributable samples. Multiple compounds were detected in some samples.

A large number of traditional drugs were detected on impregnated paper samples, the majority being cocaine (235) and the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine (185) it is likely that these detections are a result of accidental contamination rather than deliberate co-impregnation with NPS.

The most prevalent NPS in the non-attributable samples was 5F-MDMB-PINACA, which was detected in 320 samples. In comparison, 5F-MDMB-PINACA was not the most prevalent compound detected in the attributable samples. This could be caused by the use of different sensitivity techniques or, for example, a higher prevalence of this compound in particular prisons. The prevalence of the other NPS detected in the non-attributable samples can be seen in Figure 13.

Figure 13: NPS detected in the non-attributable UK prison collections excluding 5F-MDMB-PINACA.

It can be seen in Figure 14 that SCRAs were found impregnated in paper samples and in herbal material, albeit, similarly to the attributable data, it was more common to see SCRAs impregnated on paper.

Figure 14: NPS detected in the non-attributable UK prison collections excluding 5F-MDMB-PINACA.

The forms of the non-attributable samples can be seen in Figure 15. Also shown is the number of compounds detected in each sample as, frequently, 3 or 4 compounds were detected. On one occasion, 11 compounds were detected on a single piece of paper.

Flubromazepam, flubromazolam, and tramadol were also found impregnated in paper samples, which is unusual as these compounds are typically found as tablets or capsules. However, there has been evidence to show that benzodiazepines are more frequently being found impregnated on paper.^{[footnote 11]}

Figure 15: Number of compounds detected in non-attributable NPS samples in different forms.

4.2.1 Novel substances identified in non-attributable samples in UK prisons during FY 2020 to 2021

The following compounds have not previously been identified in UK prison collections as reported by FEWS. SCRAs found in samples appear to be the PICA versions of previously seen PINACA based SCRAs. This has been reported elsewhere too and will require monitoring.[^12]

ADB-BUTINACA

The SCRA, ADB-BUTINACA, was found in 5 impregnated paper samples. The samples also contained nicotine, 5F-MDMB-PICA and, in one sample, NM-2201. ADB-BUTINACA is a controlled Class B drug under the MDA1971 by the SCRA generic legislation (S.I. 1109 and S.I. 1323).

NPB-22

The SCRA, NPB-22, was found in 3 impregnated paper samples. The samples also contained MDMB-4en-PINACA and AMB-FUBINACA. NPB-22 is a controlled Class B drug under the MDA1971 by the SCRA generic legislation (S.I. 1109 and S.I. 1323).

5F-MN-18

The SCRA, 5F-MN-18, was found in 2 impregnated paper samples. 5F-MN-18 is a controlled Class B drug under the MDA1971 by the SCRA generic legislation (S.I. 1109 and S.I. 1323).

MDMB-4en-PICA

The SCRA, MDMB-4en-PICA, was found in 2 impregnated paper samples. The samples also contained 4F-MDMB-BINACA and 5F-MDMB-PICA.MDMB-4en-PICA is a controlled Class B drug under the MDA1971 by the SCRA generic legislation (S.I. 1109 and S.I. 1323).

5F-MPP-PICA

The SCRA, 5F-MPP-PICA, was found in an impregnated paper sample. The sample also contained 5F-MDMB-PICA, Cocaine, Benzoylecgonine and caffeine. 5F-MPP-PICA is a controlled Class B drug under the MDA1971 by the SCRA generic legislation (S.I. 1109 and S.I. 1323).

Flubromazepam

The benzodiazepine, Flubromazepam, was found in an impregnated paper sample. It is unusual to see a benzodiazepine impregnated on paper. Flubromazepam is a Class C drug named in the MDA 1971.