News from DEA, Domestic Field Divisions, New Orleans News Releases, 06/25/09

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2009
Contact: Special Agent Warren Rivera
Number: (504) 840-1070

Defendants in Mississippi Charged in Multi-Pound
Methamphetamine Conspiracy

JUN 25-- Jackson, Miss - Acting United States Attorney Stan Harris, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Marshall Fisher, Drug Enforcement Administration New Orleans Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jimmy S. Fox III, (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Joel K. Reece, Rankin County (District 20) District Attorney Michael Guest, and Pike County (District 14) District Attorney Dee Bates announce the culmination of a one year joint federal and state investigation targeting a large methamphetamine distribution organization operating in the State of Mississippi and elsewhere.

Members of this organization imported into and distributed up to 50 pounds of methamphetamine per month during the course of this conspiracy. Until today, this organization was the largest identified methamphetamine distribution enterprise operating in the State of Mississippi. It was a highly structured criminal organization that has a demonstrated history of violence to facilitate its drug trafficking activities.

On June 23, 2009, teams of state, local, and federal law enforcement officers arrested numerous defendants and executed multiple search warrants at locations in Walthall, Lincoln, Pike, Marion, Hinds, and Rankin Counties. Related enforcement operations were also conducted in Florida and Alabama today.

The arrests were the result of a joint investigation between the DEA Jackson Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Enforcement Group, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Also participating in the investigation were: the Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Rankin, and Walthall County Sheriff ’ s Departments, the Brandon, Pearl, Richland, Florence and Ridgeland, Mississippi Police Departments, Hinds County (District 7) District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith, and Marion County (District 15) District Attorney Hal Kitrell. U.S. Marshal Nehemiah Flowers and the U.S. Marshal Service Gulf Coast Fugitive Force were also recognized for their assistance in arresting those indicted as part of the operation.

As a result of this investigation agents seized numerous pounds of methamphetamine with a street value exceeding 1.5 million dollars. Also seized were 5 vehicles (two of which had hidden compartments), 2 stolen motorcycles, 2 stolen 4-wheelers, over 50 firearms at least one of which is believed to be a fully automatic assault rifle, and 3 silencers. Additional arrests/indictments are anticipated as this investigation continues.

Acting U.S. Attorney Stan Harris praised the cooperative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement. Harris noted that methamphetamine is one of the most highly addictive of all narcotics, and its production and distribution rank among the most destructive criminal enterprises in the State of Mississippi.

DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Mississippi Joel Reece stated that, “T his investigation and subsequent arrests of these individuals resulted in the complete dismantlement of a sophisticated drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of methamphetamine into Mississippi. This success can be attributed to an outstanding partnership between DEA and our state and local counterparts combined with guidance and aggressive prosecution from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, and the aforementioned District Attorneys. ”

MBN Director Marshall Fisher stated that “ this violent organization has operated with impunity for some time, and is responsible for distributing multi-pound quantities of Mexican methamphetamine over a significant period of time. We believe the arrests and successful prosecution of this entire organization will significantly impact the availability of this highly addictive illicit narcotic in the state of Mississippi.

Fisher added that “ this investigation has been a team effort from its initiation. The tireless efforts of agents and prosecutors in this investigation have resulted in what may be the most significant blow to methamphetamine distribution in the history of Mississippi drug enforcement. To have simultaneous multi federal and state charges in so many different areas of our state is an indicator of the significance of the accomplishments in this investigation. ”

As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The charges filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

The Case of the Missing Demerol 3 DEA Resources, Microgram Journal, Volume 1, January-June 2003-Osmolality - A Novel and Sensitive Tool for Detection of Tampering of Beverages Adulterated with Ethanol, -Butyrolactone, and 1,4-Butanediol, and for Detection of Dilution-Tampered Demerol Syringes

The Case of the Missing Demerol ³

Theft of Demerol and other controlled substances by health care professionals is a recurring problem across the U.S. In June 1989, the author (working at the toxicology lab of St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, New York) received a call from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding a Demerol theft investigation. A number of patients at a local hospital were complaining that they still had pain even after receiving their Demerol injections. Toxicology studies suggested that they had not in fact received any Demerol, implying diversion/theft by a nurse or other health-care professional. Hundreds of nurses were working at any one time, and they often worked on different nursing stations. To identify a suspect, the case agent systematically switched all nurses' floor schedules over several days. This process demonstrated that the patient complaints only occurred when a certain nurse was on duty. The case involved 75 mg Demerol syringes. The agent reasoned that the Demerol was being removed and used by the nurse, and a unknown liquid placed back in the syringe for patient injection. Because no patient became ill, it was felt that the nurse was using one of four sterile solutions as the replacement. The agent wanted to know exactly which of the four solutions was being used so that he could confront the suspect from a basis of fact and thereby elicit a confession. The available solutions included two normal salines and two sterile waters. Osmolality and specific gravity testing were performed on a control (untampered) Demerol syringe solution, on a suspect (tampered) Demerol syringe solution, and on all four sterile solutions. An independent quantitative analysis on the suspect Demerol solution confirmed that it only had 3.9 mg of Demerol remaining - consistent with a single plunger removal of Demerol and refill with one of the sterile solutions. The osmolality and specific gravity results are reported in Table 8.

Table 8 - Osmolality and Specific Gravity Measurements in the Missing Demerol Case

Sample	Osmolality [mOsm/kg]	Spec. Gravity
75 mg Demerol Control Syringe	429	1.037
75 mg Demerol Suspect Syringe	381	1.011
Abbott Bacteriostatic Saline	374	1.010
Lyphomed Saline	291	1.004
Quad Bacteriostatic Water	93	1.005
Abbott Sterile Water	1	1.000

As the results show, the specific gravity testing had limited usefulness because it could not unambiguously differentiate between all solutions. However, the osmolality testing demonstrated that Abbott Bacteriostatic Saline was most likely used to refill the syringe. The observed 381 mOsm/kg result in the suspect syringe (slightly higher than the Abbott solution), was probably due to the slight effect of the 3.9 mg of Demerol still remaining in the solution. Upon confrontation with the evidence, the nurse admitted her guilt. With the
exception of osmolality, no other laboratory method available at that time could have been employed to differentiate between different brands of saline and water. Osmolality would clearly be a useful technique for similar, current cases of controlled substance thefts from hospitals, pharmacies, doctors' offices, and similar stocks.

Additional Potential Forensic Applications

Identification of Sugar-Based Beverages Substituted for Diet Beverages ^2,4

The accidental or purposeful substitution of a sugar-based beverage for a diet (sugarless) beverage can be harmful to a diabetic individual. Several different lots of Pepsi and Diet Pepsi were tested to determine if it would be possible to differentiate the sugar based beverage from the diet beverage. The results are as follows:

Pepsi: 711-737 mOsm/kg (n=5)
Diet Pepsi: 13-32 mOsm/kg (n=6)

Although only 11 different lots were tested, there is clearly enough difference between the two types of beverages to allow a reasonable determination of diet versus sugar-based.

Poisoning of Domestic Pets' Water with Ethylene Glycol

Dogs and cats are very sensitive to the poisonous effects of antifreeze (which contains ethylene glycol). Fatal amounts are 1.4 mL/kg for cats and 6.6 mL/kg for dogs ⁵. The sweet odor and taste of ethylene glycol makes it very attractive to animals, and it is therefore a particularly insidious poison. Osmolality is a very useful initial screen for suspect solutions in that it will detect the presence of ethylene glycol (and also other alcohols) at very low levels in water. Based on ethylene glycol's molecular weight of 62.02, a 1 percent solution in water would read 161 mOsm/kg, versus a typical tap water value of approximately 3 mOsm/kg.

Identification of Water ^2,3,4

Water is submitted on occasion to crime laboratories. Although osmolality cannot detect the presence of large molecular weight compounds in water at low concentrations [i.e., most "classic" street drugs], it is an excellent tool to identify that a submitted solution is water. Most waters tested ranged from 0 - 8 mOsm/kg. Only high-mineral content spring waters had higher values, up to 28 mOsm/kg. Non-water solvents will not freeze and no result will be obtained. Any polar solvent mixed into water will greatly increase its osmolality. Acids and bases that have been added to the water will increase the osmolality and also give a pH change. For example, a solution of 1 mL of Chlorox [5 percent hypochlorite] in 100 mL of distilled water, has a pH of 10.5 and an osmolality of 43 mOsm/kg. A solution of 1 mL of 12N HCl in 100 mL of distilled water has a pH of 1.0 and an osmolality of 243 mOsm/kg. A 1 percent solution of ethanol in distilled water has a osmolality of 158 mOsm/kg.

Field Testing

With results available within 15 minutes after plug-in, on only 0.25 mL of sample, the Advanced 3D3 Osmometer instrument used in this study (or any equivalent osmometer) can be easily adapted for field testing at large concert events from police D.U.I. vans. This would allow rapid beverage screening before submission of case samples to the crime lab.

Limitations

"Date-Rape" Benzodiazepines in Solution ²

As previously mentioned, the high molecular weight of common "classic" street drugs, and their low concentration in submitted solutions, makes osmolality an ineffective screening tool for their identification. For example, a single methylphenidate (Ritalin) tablet containing 5 mg of active drug and weighing 91 mg, produced a measured osmolality of only 11 mOsm/kg when dissolved in 30 mL distilled water. Therefore, osmolality is not viable for detection of drink tampering with, e.g., flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) or other sedative benzodiazepines that are employed for drug facilitated sexual assault.

Urine in Beverages ⁶

Beverages are occasionally maliciously adulterated with urine. The osmolality of an individual's urine varies widely [50 - 1400 mOsm/kg] and greatly depends on the person's degree of hydration. Urea, the compound of highest concentration in the urine, varies from 0.7 - 3.3 g/100 mL, and is a better indicator of tampering than osmolality. Although a typical random urine volume of 4 - 8 oz [118 - 237 mL] may be produced, let us assume 1 oz [30 mL] was introduced into a 50 oz pot of coffee[1480 mL]. The resulting urea levels would be 14 - 67 mg/100 mL. This is easily measured with a typical urea analysis method, which usually have a dynamic range of 2 - 212 mg/100 mL.

Saliva in Beverages 3

Similarly, beverages are occasionally maliciously adulterated with saliva. Amylase, which is present in very high levels in saliva [20,000 units/100 mL], is a better indicator of beverage adulteration with saliva versus osmolality. A typical 0.5 mL "spit" volume in an 8 oz [237 mL] cup of coffee would result in a measured amylase of 422 units/100 mL. This is easily measured with an amylase method having a dynamic range of 1-200 units/100 mL.

Conclusions

With ever increasing case loads and limited personnel resources, crime laboratories need efficient new tools to process the disturbing increases in liquid sample submissions. Osmolality, an effective analytical tool of the hospital laboratory and food and consumer products industries, is a low cost, rapid, facile, and non-destructive screening tool for forensic chemists and toxicologists.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Don Wiggin from Advanced Instruments for the loan of the 3D3 osmometer, and to the Rochester Institute of Technology and Drug ID Systems for providing the samples for testing.

Reference

1. The Advanced Osmometer Model 3D3 User's Guide, Advanced Instruments Inc, Norwood, MA (2000)
   
   
2. J. Wesley, Unpublished Data, Drug ID Systems, Inc., Rochester, NY using an Advanced 3D3 Osmometer (2001).
   
   
3. J. Wesley, Unpublished Data, St. Mary's Hospital Toxicology Lab, Rochester, NY using an Advanced 3D2 Osmometer (1985-1990).
   
   
4. T. Senosi, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY using an Advanced Wide Range 3W2 Osmometer (2000-2001).
   
   
5. L. Tilley, The Five Minute Veterinary Consultant, 2nd Ed. (2000).
   
   
6. N. Tietz, Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry, 3rd Ed, W.B. Saunders Co. p. 961 (1987).

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Michael Jackson’s Autopsy Expected Tomorrow | Showbiz Spy - celebrity news, rumors & gossip

Michael Jackson’s Autopsy Expected Tomorrow

Michael Jackson’s autopsy will be performed by the L.A. County Coroner tomorrow. At press time, his body was being airlifted to the L.A. County Coroner’s Office.

The singer, 50, died Thursday.

Jackson suffered a cardiac arrest Thursday (June 25 2009) afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him.

When paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back, according to TMZ. Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived.

Once at the hospital, the staff tried to resuscitate him but he was completely unresponsive. Sister La Toya ran in the hospital sobbing after Jackson was pronounced dead.

The star was due to begin a series of comeback concerts with an appearance at London’s O2 arena on July 13.

A spokeswoman for The Outside Organisation, which was organizing the publicity for the shows, said she had no comment at this time.

He had a history of health problems and had not completed a concert tour in 12 years.
Meanwhile, TMZ claims Jackson was rehearsing his upcoming concert at the Staples Center in L.A Wednesday night.

The site states:

We’ve learned Michael Jackson showed no unusual signs of distress — he was rehearsing his upcoming concert at the Staples Center in L.A. But, we’re told, like other nights of rehearsal, Jackson was both hours late and lethargic.

We’re told rehearsal went late into the evening. Jackson was singing and dancing with the backup dancers and the band. Someone who was there says Jackson was supposed to show at 7 PM but didn’t arrive until 10 and he was “listless.” But that was normal, according to people at rehearsal.

Right now, some of the cast and crew are at Staples, packing up their stuff.

Michael Jackson’s Autopsy Expected Tomorrow | Showbiz Spy - celebrity news, rumors & gossip