Paper presented at the IFEAT International Conference in London, England, November 1998;

pp.270-275 in the original printed proceedings

ILLICIT MANUFACTURE OF CONTROLLED DRUGS

FROM ESSENTIAL OILS
Les Fiander
National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS),
2 Citadel Place, London SE11 5EN, UK
[ e-mail : drugsdesk@spring13.demon.co.uk ;
fax : +44-171-238-8306 ; tel. : +44-171-238-8305 ]
Perhaps some of you were wondering why a police officer from the National Criminal
Intelligence Service is addressing your conference, but I think the title of my
presentation is probably now self-evident. I have been given the opportunity to speak
to you today to raise awareness about the increasing problem of criminal groups
manufacturing controlled drugs from essential oils. I will begin by giving some
background information about this situation, and I am sure it will become apparent to
you why criminal groups around the world are now targeting your industry as a source
for drug starting materials.
My role at NCIS is to identify potential sources of controlled drugs in the UK, and
overseas. In particular, my objective is to locate criminal groups who manufacture
synthetic drugs. That is, drugs which are made solely from chemicals, and
increasingly from essential oils. This broad definition includes amphetamines and the
ecstasy-type drugs, which as many of you know, have become immensely popular in
many regions of the world. The illicit manufacture of these drugs continues to be
fuelled by the rave scene, which, far from diminishing, is becoming increasingly
popular in even the most unlikeliest regions of the world.
The abuse of amphetamines has been significant for many years. Even as early as the
1930s, amphetamines produced by the pharmaceutical industry were abused by people
for their endurance-increasing properties. This situation continued well into WWII,
after which the health and social problems associated with amphetamine abuse
became well known. Gradually international controls were brought in to combat this
abuse, and there was a subsequent increase in clandestine manufacture by criminals,
which continues to this day.
Illicit Drug Laboratories
Illicit synthetic drug laboratories, particularly those which manufacture amphetamines
and ecstasy-type drugs, are found extensively across the west of Europe and
increasingly in the former Eastern Bloc countries.
Methamphetamine is another synthetic drug, sometimes known as Ice, which is
frequently manufactured by criminals in the US and in South East Asia, where there is
a ready market. The situation is similar in Australia, for example, and in many other
countries, where there is significant illicit manufacture of amphetamine type drugs.
I do not wish to use this time talking about specific drug trends, but I would like to
make it clear that the illicit manufacture of these drugs is now a world-wide
phenomenon.

Legislation : Illicit Drugs Control

Many of the larger illicit laboratories are capable of producing literally tonnes of drug
product, or millions of pills. For a relatively small financial outlay, vast profits can be
made, and this has attracted organised crime groups around the world to this area of crime.
A recent document published by the United Nations, states that not only is there increased
world-wide manufacture of synthetic drugs, but one day this activity may well take the
lead over production of narcotic type drugs, such as heroin and cocaine.
The reason for this, apart from the profit element, is the ready availability of chemicals in
some regions, and the ease with which these drugs can be made by following simple
chemistry procedures. The high structural variability of many of the starting materials
used by criminals to manufacture drugs, offer even more possibilities in the actual
chemical route taken. Even more variability can be achieved in the final product itself.
Over a number of years now, we have seen many new synthetic designer drugs appear
on our markets - ring substituted amphetamine analogues. Many of these drugs are
produced from materials which, in some areas, are readily available.
Drug Precursor Chemicals
Historically, criminals have used only a small number of favoured precursor chemicals
to manufacture synthetic drugs.
So far as amphetamine is concerned, benzyl methyl ketone (BMK), also known as 1phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), was the precursor of choice.
So far as methamphetamine is concerned, the preferred precursor chemical was, and
remains, ephedrine.
More recently, the emergence of MDMA or ecstasy, has meant criminals are targeting
safrole, iso-safrole or piperonal (heliotropin) as their preferred starting materials, which
brings them firmly into contact with your industry.
Criminals try to obtain these chemicals through the legitimate industry by giving false
stories about their intended use, and often produce counterfeit government licences. There
are a number of re-occurring themes which they seem to favour ,when they approach firms
and enquire about price and availability. For example, they might say that they require the
chemicals for use as cleaning materials, in perfumery, photography or many other
applications, as a means of lending credibility to their story.
There have even been cases where criminal groups, posing as chemical disposal firms
have approached companies, particularly those in the perfumery trade, and have offered to
dispose of waste chemicals. Our information is that they have been successful in
obtaining residual drug precursor chemicals from the waste.
International Control - 1988 United Nations (Vienna) Convention
At the 1988 United Nations Vienna Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs
and Psychotropic Substances, 22 chemicals were scheduled and brought under
international control. Many countries adopted their own legislation, and within the
European Community, there are stringent licensing and regulatory mechanisms which

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concern the manufacture, sale, purchase, and export of all twenty two chemicals. Here
with me today is Linda Ward, who is Head of Licensing at the Action Against Drugs Unit,
UK Home Office (50 Queen Annes Gate, London SW1H 9AT; tel. +44-171-273-3627;
fax. +44-171-273-2671). Linda is responsible for the issue of all licences and export
authorisations concerning the 22 scheduled chemicals, and she will be available later to
answer any questions you may have.
The controls have proved effective among those countries who are signatory to the 1988
UN Convention, because there is now substantial awareness of the potential use of these
chemicals in illicit drug manufacture. However, criminal organisations are adept at
circumventing regulatory controls, and as a consequence, they now target chemicals which
do not fall within the scope of international or domestic legislation. In reality, there are
hundreds of chemicals which can be used in the illicit production of drugs, and criminals
are quite prepared to invest time and money researching all the possibilities.
Table 1 : Chemicals Scheduled under Article 12
United Nations (Vienna) Convention 1988
Category 1
Ephedrine
Ergometrine
Ergotamine
Lysergic acid
1-Phenyl-2-propanone (BMK)
Pseudoephedrine
N-Acetylanthranilic acid
3-4 Methylenedioxyphenylpropan-2one (PMK)
Isosafrole
Piperonal (Heliotropin)
Safrole

Category 2
Acetic anhydride
Anthranilic acid
Phenylacetic acid
Piperidine

Category 3
Acetone
Ethyl ether
Methyl ethyl ketone
Toluene
Potassium permanganate
Sulphuric acid
Hydrochloric acid

Non-Controlled Chemicals
Table 2 lists some of the chemicals which criminals try to source for use in illicit drug
production. Most of them have a perfectly legitimate commercial use, in a wide variety of
applications. At the moment, none of these chemicals are subject to any control.
Benzaldehyde, which as many of you know is used extensively in your industry, is
particularly sought after by criminals for use as a precursor in the manufacture of
amphetamine. Benzaldehyde is regularly found with other chemicals in many of the
illegal laboratories we find in Europe. Criminals are now looking for sources of supply of
this chemical, I believe, as a direct result of international controls on BMK and other
precursors.

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Legislation : Illicit Drugs Control

Table 2 : Chemicals Used for Illicit Drug Manufacture

and Not Presently Subject to Controls
Acetaldehyde
Acetyl chloride
Allylbenzene
Ammonium formate
Benzene
Benzyl chloride
Benzyl cyanide
Benzaldehyde
Bromosafrole
Butylamine

Chlorosafrole
2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde
Ethylamine
Formamide
Hydroxylamine
Isatoic anhydride
Lithium aluminium hydride
Mercuric chloride
Methyl iso butyl alcohol
Methylamine

N-methylformamide
Nitroethane
Orthotoluidine
Phenylpropanolomine
Piperonyl alcohol
Rayney nickel
3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde
Vanillin

Use of the Internet (www) by Criminals

I think it is perhaps a point worthy of mention, that the Internet now plays a key role in
facilitating the supply of chemicals to criminals.
We have been concerned in many operations where criminals have researched the World
Wide Web and have initiated product enquiries by the e-mail system, before placing
orders. By conducting their business in this way, they have instant access to world
markets, whilst retaining a degree of anonymity.
I cannot emphasise enough that criminal use of the Internet is now exceedingly prevalent.
Generally speaking, the type of criminals who operate in this field tend to be innovative,
and are always looking for new materials and sources of supply. They commonly use
fictitious company names, and especially it seems when they approach the trade via the
Internet.
Essential Oils
The fact that criminals are having to resort to targeting non-controlled materials for use in
manufacturing drugs, is clearly an indication of the success of co-operation between the
trade, regulatory, and enforcement agencies. However, like in many areas of drug control,
the problem of displacement is always present. Clearly, criminals are aware that
transactions and movements of certain chemicals are monitored and are thinking ahead
and devising new strategies. So far as the UN legislation is concerned, some may consider
that it falls short in its scope of recommendations, that only twenty two chemicals are
subject to control. Having said that, nobody wants over regulation, and we in the UK
certainly have no wish to place any additional burden on industry.
I think it is important though, that there is an awareness within the essential oil trade,
especially as there are currently a number of cases where criminals are using, or have
attempted to use, sassafras oil, nutmeg oil and camphor oil, to produce ecstasy or ecstasytype drugs. Sassafras incidentally, because of its high concentration of safrole, does fall

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within the scope of the UN Convention, and is therefore subject to licensing controls in
signatory countries.
I know through the channels of information I have access to, that criminal groups are
becoming more aware of the fact that essential oils can be used to produce controlled
drugs. As you will know, nutmeg contains myristicin. This can be used to manufacture
Methoxymethylenedioxyamphetamine (MMDA), a drug similar to ecstasy, which is
controlled in the UK. I understand that brown camphor oil in particular, contains a high
percentage of safrole. The international law enforcement community is increasingly
identifying shipped consignments of sassafras oil, which are clearly destined for use in
manufacturing drugs. I know that there are a number of other essential oils which contain
safrole, benzaldehyde, or other substances, which potentially could be used to produce
controlled drugs. I have no doubt whatsoever that criminal knowledge of these products
will increase, and without wishing to be alarmist, they will target your trade.
From my limited knowledge of essential oils, I am aware that the following materials in
particular, are potentially useful in the production of controlled drugs. I appreciate that the
actual concentrations may be rather low in some cases, however, at this stage I am simply
seeking to increase your awareness that some of your products may be misused.
Table 3 : Essential Oil Sources of Safrole
Camphor oil
Ocotea oil
Ohba-kusu oil
Pichurimbean oil
Pla-chiuri oil
sassafras oil
Sho-gyu oil
Oil of Asarum arifolium
Oil of Boronia thujona var. A
Oil of Cinnamomum oliveri

Oil of Cinnamomum parthenoxylon

Oil of Cinnamomum pedunculatum
Oil of Cinnamomum pedatinervium
Oil of Clausena lunulata
Oil of Doryphora sassafras
Oil of East-Eucamphortree
Oil of Illicium parviflorum
Oil of Laurelia aromatica
Oil of Nemuaron humbodtii
Oil of Zieria smithii

Table 4 : Sources of and Myristicin

Benzaldehyde
Apricot kernel oil
Bitter almond oil
Oil of cherry laurel

Myristicin
Nutmeg oil
Parsley seed oil

Assessing the Potential for Diversion

In the UK, the chemical industry is vigilant when processing enquiries or orders for
chemicals which have the potential for misuse by criminals. I mentioned earlier that
criminals have a tendency to stick with stories they are familiar with when they attempt to
purchase chemicals. There are a number of indicators that a prospective purchaser might
be intent on diverting chemicals away from the licit trade to illicit use.
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Legislation : Illicit Drugs Control

For example:

Is the customer paying cash?

Is the chemical (or essential oil) ordered, consistent with its specified use?
Is the quantity ordered consistent with its specified end use?
Does the company actually exist?
Is the company recently established?
Is the customer refusing all contact details?
Is it a first time order?
Could the chemical have been obtained elsewhere at less cost?
Has the customer specified airfreight thereby incurring excessive expense?
Does the customer wish to collect the material himself?

These are just examples of the type of questions we ask when we are assessing
transactions concerning chemicals. In many countries, there is a central point of contact
for the trade, usually with police, customs or other government agency, where information
concerning suspicious attempts to purchase chemicals (or essential oils), can be passed in
confidence. I appreciate this may not be so straight forward in some countries, however, if
any of you feel there is a risk of your products being diverted, please attempt to
communicate with the relevant authority in your country.
I must stress that absolute confidentiality is a top priority for us in the UK, and in most
other countries. I hope that I have at least raised your awareness of this problem, which
frankly, I believe, will increase.

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