1

tee
Gocaine
Tester^
Handbook
EASY METHODS FOR TESTING
THE PURITY OF COCAINE
AND DETECTING THE
PRESENCE OF VARIOUS CUTS

by adam goJHieb

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 tbe Gocafoe
Teskepls Handbook
by adam gottlieb
Copyright © 1975 by Kistone Press
Cover and illustrations by Larry Todd

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction.2
About Cocaine.3
Initial Examination of Cocaine.3
Looking. 3
Tasting. 4
Snorting.4
Kitchen Tests. .4
Water Glass and Bleach Tests.4
Solvent Test. 5
Flame Test.7
Adulterants (Cuts and Tests). 8
Benzocaine.8
Butacaine Sulfate.9
Caffeine.9
Com Starch . . ..9
Ephedrine.10
Inositol. 10
Lactose. 10
Lidocaine.11
Mannite.11
Methedrine.12
Pemoline.12
Procaine. 13
Quinine.13
Sucrose.14
Tetracaine.14
Yohimbine-.14
Test for Presence of Cocaine.1®
Purity Test.15
Test for Mixed Alkaloidal Cocaine.15
Melting Point Test.16
INTRODUCTION
At one time Alcohol Prohibition created circumstances in which the
unscrupulous could make a fortune poisoning the public with wood alco¬
hol. History now repeats itself. Most cocaine consumers have no means
of determining the purity of a black market product or finding out what
foul substances have been added as cuts. This book serves as a handy and
inexpensive guide for customers and responsible dealers who want to know
exactly what they are buying or selling. It explains how a person may esti¬
mate the purity of a cocaine sample and determine how much of what
substance has been used to cut it. We begin by showing what can be dis¬
cerned initially by examining, tasting and snorting the product. Next we
progress to a series of simple tests which can be conducted with items
found in any kitchen, but which can divulge a great deal about the con¬
tents of the coke. Then we describe each of the individual substances com¬
monly used as cocaine cuts plus some less common ones. Under each head¬
ing we give all of the pertinent information that the consumer or dealer
needs to know: what the substance is; its effects on the user; and essential
testing data such as melting point, solubility, flame test response and
reactions to other tests described in this book. Also given under each
heading is a simple but specific test for positively identifying that sub¬
stance. We also give three tests for cocaine itself; one to detect its pre¬
sence, another to determine its purity, and a third to distinguish pharma¬
ceutical from mixed alkaloidal cocaine.
The information in this book is expressed simply and clearly in lang¬
uage that can be understood by the layman. With this book the customer
or dealer should be able to select the highest quality cocaine available and
save many dollars as well as his health.

I/Ve present the information in this book because the right of access to
knowledge is guaranteed under the First Amendment to the Constitution
of the United States of America. How the reader chooses to use this know¬
ledge is his own business. We are not trying to encourage the use of co¬
caine and feel that it is our duty to remind the reader that one of that
drug's gravest dangers is that it is a felony to possess it without license in
the USA and many other countries.
A.G.
July 4, 1976

2
ABOUT COCAINE
Cocaine is one of several alkaloids derived from the leaf of the coca
bush (Erythroxylon coca) of the Andes region of South America. After
extraction it is converted into a salt — usually the hydrochloride. It is a
powerful central and cerebral stimulant. It usually occurs as white (some¬
times pink-tinted) crystalline rocks, flakes or powder. There is no dif¬
ference in potency between any of these forms. It has a slightly bitter
taste with a faintly medicinal aftertaste followed by a numbing of the
tongue. Either of two types of cocaine are likely to be encountered:
1.) pharmaceutical grade cocaine, for use as a local anesthetic, and 2.)
mixed alkaloidal cocaine — sometimes called refined cocaine — which
is the mixed hydrochlorides of cocaine and its companion alkaloids in the
proportions that they natively occur in the leaf. Many users prefer the
latter type because these other alkaloids tend to mellow the stimulation of
the cocaine. Black market cocaine may come as any of the above types
and forms, but is most often cut with 20-50% of some inexpensive sub¬
stance. The percentage and nature of the adulterant largely depends upon
the ethics of the dealer and the number of middlemen through whose
hands the product has passed. Although cocaine is a benzoic acid ester
of the base ecgonine it does not respond positively to the bleach water
test like the synthetic benzoic esters procaine, benzocaine, etc. It is
soluble in water, ethanol, methanol, chloroform, and acetone; and in¬
soluble in ether, and benzene. On a flame test pharmaceutical cocaine
produces ignitable fumes and leaves virtually no residue; mixed alkaloidal
cocaine leaves a reddish-brown stain on the foil. Pure cocaine hydro¬
chloride's m.p. (melting point) is 192 -197 degrees C. The presence of
other alkaloids and/or cuts can cause the m.p. to vary widely. Chemical
tests for the presence and purity of cocaine are given later in this book.

LOOKING
The first thing- a cocaine purchaser will do is look at the product. What
can he determine from visual examination? Not much! Most cuts blend
very well with cocaine, especially if the product contains a lot of duff
(cocaine that has been crushed to powder through handling). To make
matters more difficult many coke suppliers will combine the cocaine and
the adulterant in solution and reconstitute it by evaporation. The result is
what appears to be beautiful solid chunks of rock cocaine or — if the
evaporation technique is varied — perfect flakes. These methods have
fooled some of the most sophisticated connoisseurs. Except for cases
where the adulterant's appearance is radically different than that of
cocaine there is little that can be determined with the naked eye. Micro¬
scopic examination may reveal more. Cocaine crystals have their own
structures and patterns. So does each of the adulterants. Careful exam¬
ination with a powerful microscope and experienced familiarity with the
crystalline structures of all of these substances is necessary to make such
determinations.

3
TASTING
The next thing a purchaser wiil do is put some of the product on his
tongue. The best way to do this is to place a flake or crystal between the
tongue and the roof of the mouth. If it melts like butter leaving no gritty
residue, it may be fairly pure. There are some adulterants, however, that
melt as easily as cocaine. Mannite is one of them. Its mild sweetness should
be detectable though. Also it cools slightly in the mouth for a few seconds
after it becomes moist. This is not to be confused with the freeze effect of
cocaine and the synethetic anesthetics, which is actually a numbing of
the sensory nerves. Inositol also has a mild sweetness, and lactose is even
sweeter, but less so than dextrose and sucrose. Cocaine has a somewhat
bitter and slightly medicinal taste. It numbs the tongue a few minutes
after tasting it. If the bitterness is lacking, it may be cut with one of the
sweet adulterants. The synethtic anesthetics have a bitter taste aiso, but
lack the characteristic medicinal aftertaste of cocaine. They also numb the
tongue, but more swiftly than cocaine. Some dealers balance their cuts to
fool the taster. One might, for instance, dilute the product with an inert
cut such as mannite, then restore the anesthetic potency to that of cocaine
by adding some procaine. Finally, to completely delude the customer, he
may mix in some cheap stimulant such as methedrine, ephedrine, or pemo¬
line. The author has seen coke that contained nothing but speed, procaine
and mannite with not a single molecule of cocaine. A gram of this is worth
about 80 cents, but may sell for 80 dollars.

SNORTING
The third thing a purchaser will do is snort some of the product to see
if the high is a good coke high. If a line or two does not fully stimulate as
would be expected of this much cocaine, it has obviously been cut with
some inert substance or with a non-stimulating anesthetic cut. If there is
stimulation, but it is of the jagged sort accompanied by tightness in the
facial muscles, it has no doubt been cut with methedrine.

KITCHEN TESTS
Many sophisticated purchasers are familiar with several simple tests that
can be accomplished anywhere with materials found in any household.
These include the water glass test (sometimes called the trailer test), the
bleach test, and the flame test. These are excellent tests if properly under¬
stood. But unfortunately there is an abundance of devoutly believed mis¬
conceptions concerning their indications.

WATER GLASS AND BLEACH TESTS

If a pinch of cocaine is dropped on the surface of a glass of water, the
particles will sink to the bottom leaving transparent trailers behind them.
It is popularly believed that only cocaine will do this and that this is a sure
test for purity. But procaine hydrochloride will do exactly the same thing.

4
However, the distinction between cocaine hydrochloride and procaine
hydrochloride can be made by adding a tablespoonful of liquid bleach
(Clorox®, Purex®, etc.) to the water. The particles and trailers of procaine
hydrochloride will turn brick-red or orange whereas those of cocaine will
not. All of the synthetic benzoic esters will turn this color in bleach water.
These include both free bases and salts of procaine, butacaine, tetracaine,
and benzocaine; but not lidocaine, because it is not a benzoic ester.
Substances which are insoluble or poorly soluble in water will not sink
to the bottom of the glass, but will linger on the water's surface. These in¬
clude free bases of procaine, butacaine, tetracaine, benzocaine, and lido¬
caine, as well as talc, pemoline, yohimibine hydrochloride and quinine sul¬
fate. If the free base of a synthetic benzoic ester is dropped into bleach
water, the color reaction will be slow to occur. The substance will float
on the surface for a while before turning pale yellow and gradually deepen¬
ing into more orangish hues. Eventually the particles which have reacted
with the bleach and turned color will become more soluble and sink to the
bottom. A quicker way to test for the presence of a free base synthetic
benzoic ester is to place a drop of undiluted bleach on a pinch of the pro¬
duct and rub it into the powder. If one is present, it will turn brick-red
immediately.
The water glass test combined with the bleach test is also quite good
for making rough estimates of the percentage of cuts. Let us suppose that
the sample contains cocaine hydrochloride, procaine hydrochloride, and
pemoline. A pinch of it is dropped into a tumbler of bleach water. The
particles begin to separate. The cocaine and procaine sink; the former
leaving clear trailers and the latter leaving orange ones. Observe the ap¬
proximate proportions of each. Then observe how much of the insoluble,
shimmering pemoline remains on the surface. By studying the information
in the section describing individual adulterants one can make similar
estimates when other substances are the cuts.

SOLVENT TEST
In a sense the water glass test described above is a solvent test. Sub¬
stances soluble in water will dissolve as they submerge, while substances in¬
soluble in water will float on the surface without dissolving. Cocaine
hydrochloride is soluble in certain solvents such as water, ethanol, meth¬
anol, chloroform, and acetone. It is insoluble in ether and benzene. For
each cut there are solvents in which that cut is soluble and others in which
it is not. Let us assume that the cocaine has been cut with inositol. This
substance is insoluble in absolute ethanol, absolute methanol, and chloro¬
form. A solvent test is conducted as follows.

1. Dry more than a gram of the coke sample overnight in a desicator

over magnesium sulfate. This removes traces of moisture that would throw
off the weight accuracy as well as the solubility.
2. Dissolve exactly 1000 mg (1 gram) of the product in 20 ml of
chloroform (or absolute alcohol) at room temperature.

5
 3. Pass the solution through a filter paper in a buchner funnel and
collect in a falsk the filtrates (that which passes through the filter).
4. The inositol, being insoluble in the solvent, will remain as a resi¬
due in the filter. Wash it with fresh solvent, i.e., pour another 20 ml of
the solvent over it to make sure that no cocaine remains in the residue and
the filter paper. Save the combined filtrates.
5. Place the funnel containing the filter paper and the residue in
another flask and wash with two 20 ml portions of hot water. The inosi¬
tol is soluble in water and will pass through the filter with it.
6. Evaporate the chloroform (or absolute alcohol) filtrates on a hot
water bath, and dry the residue overnight in a desicator over magnesium
sulfate. Then weigh it.
7. Evaporate the water filtrates on a hot oil bath, and dry the residue
overnight in a desicator over magnesium sulfate. Then weigh it.
8. If no other cut than inositol has been used, the dried product from
step 6 should be pure cocaine hydrochloride and that from step 7 should
be inositol. If the cocaine residue weighs 700 mg and the inositol residue
weighs 300 mg, it is quite clear that the cocaine was cut to 70% by the
addition of 30% inositol. Actually there should be a slight loss of a few
miligrams due to particles irrevocably trapped in the filter paper, but this
loss is negligible. The inositol residue can be tested by either the chemical
color reaction test or the m.p. (melting point) test. The cocaine residue
can be used for snorting, etc. If an m.p. test is conducted on a sample of
it and it does not melt at the correct temperature (192-197 degrees C.),
there may be some other chloroform-soluble cut such as procaine or lido-
caine in it, and further testing may be required.

6
 SUCTION FILTERING BUCHHEf^
FONHEL
APPARATUS FILTEK
'PAFE<\

2. HOLC
STOPPED
TO SVJCT'ON
SOVRO.
FLASK
TKftF JAK

In some cases the suspected cut may be soluble in a solvent in which

cocaine hydrochloride is not soluble. For instance caffeine and benzo-
caine are both soluble in ether. Free base procaine and free base lido-
caine are both soluble in either ether or benzene. Cocaine hydrochloride is
insoluble in these solvents. In these cases the procedures are the same ex¬
cept that the filtrates will contain the adulterant and the residue in the
filter will be the cocaine. These cocaine residues can be washed through
with any cocaine solvent (water, ethanol, methanol, chloroform, or ace¬
tone), collected and dried.
The principles of solvent extraction are useful not only for testing, but
also for purifying cocaine by washing out the cuts. Details of these pro¬
cesses with solubility charts are given in another book by this author
entitled The Pleasures of Cocaine.

FLAME TEST
When some pure pharmaceutical grade cocaine hydrochloride is placed
on a piece of aluminum foil and a flame is held underneath it, the cocaine
will melt and vaporize leaving almost no residue on the foil. If a flame is
applied to the vapors, they will ignite. A popular falacy is that none of the
common cuts will do this. But this is not so. Mannite, for instance, will do
exactly the same thing. Mixed alkaloidal cocaine will evaporate in the same
manner with ignitable fumes, but will leave a reddish-brown residue.

7
Still this is a useful test. Some cuts evaporate with thick fumes and distin¬
ctive odors. Lactose, dextrose, and sucrose carmelize and give off a sweet
odor like toasting marshmallows. Some cuts leave characteristic residues,
or go through observable transformations while melting and evaporating.
Other cuts do not melt, vaporize, or decompose at all. In the section des¬
cribing individual cuts flame test responses are given for each substance.
The flame test is not to be confused with the melting point test, which is a
more exacting procedure and is discussed elsewhere in this book.

ADULTERANTS (cuts)
A cut is an inexpensive substance which is mixed with cocaine to add
bulk so that the dealer makes more money while the customer gets less
for his money. There are three basic types of adulterant for cutting co¬
caine: 1.) Anesthetic cuts, such as procaine and lidocaine, which give the
numbing effect of cocaine; 2.) Active cuts, such as methedrine and pemo¬
line, which given central and cerebreal stimulation like cocaine; 3.) Inert
cuts, such as lactose and mannite, which merely add bulk and weight, but
have no effects. Butacaine sulfate is an exception in that it, like cocaine,
causes both numbing and stimulation.
In this section, after describing each cut, pertinent testing data are
given, §uch as m.p. (melting point), flame test response, solubilities, and
water glass and bleach test reactions. Also included is a fairly simple
chemical test for each substance that will positively identify jt.
These tests are essentially designed for identifying relatively pure
samples of the substances. Preferably the cuts should be isolated by sol¬
vent extraction as described under Solvent Tests before conducting the
chemical test. If this is not feasible, it may in some cases be necessary to
make an estimated compensation for the percentage of the substance pre¬
sent. For example: if the test calls for 5 mg of the suspected cut and the
tester suspects that the sample contains about 25% of that substance, it
may be necessary to use about 4 times as much of the sample (20 mg). If
this is not done a reaction may still occur, but it is likely to be less intense.
For instance instead of turning red it may turn pink.

BENZOCAINE
An odorless, white crystalline powder with a slightly bitter taste. It is a
synthetic benzoic ester with very low toxicity, but it is poorly soluble in
water. For these reasons it is safe for snorting or ingesting (although it may
clog the nostrils some), but it is dangerous to inject as it can form blood
clots and emboli. It floats on the surface of water. It responds positively
but slowly to the bleach water test, lingering on the surface, turning faint¬
ly yellow at first and then gradually taking on more orange hues. If water
is made acidic, benzocaine will be soluble in it. It is soluble in ethanol,
methanol, ether, and chloroform. Its m.p. is 88 - 90 degrees C. Chemical
Test: Dissolve 10 mg of the substance in 1 ml of water made acidic with 1
drop of dilute hydrochloric acid, add 2 drops of a test solution prepared

8
by dissolving 10 mg of beta-naphthol in 5 ml of sodium hydroxide solu¬
tion. If it is benzocaine, the solution will turn deep red, and after standing
a while a scarlet precipitate will appear.

BUTACAINE SULFATE
Also called Butyn is a synthetic benzoic ester which comes as a dullish,
white powder. It has very little bitterness to it, numbs the tongue swiftly
and for a longer time than the other synthetic benzoic esters. It is coming
into greater use as a cut because it is the only one of these synthetics that
has stimulating properties similar to those of cocaine. It is somewhat more
toxic than cocaine and often more irritating to the mucous membranes.
It turns brick-red in bleach water. It is soluble in warm ethanol, warm
methanol, water, and acetone; very slightly soluble in chloroform; and in¬
soluble in ether. On a flame test it decomposes to a black ash while pro¬
ducing thick fumes with a faintly sulfurous odor like that of burning rub¬
ber of gunpowder only milder. Its m.p. is 100-103 degrees C. Chemical
Test: Prepare a solution of 200 mg of the substance in two ml of water,
add an equal portion of sodium hydroxide solution. If it is butacaine sul¬
fate, a colorless oil will precipitate.

CAFFEINE
This methylxanthine is the main active principle in coffee, tea, cola,
and several other plants. It occurs as a white crystalline powder or as color¬
less, needle-shaped, adhering crystals with a silky luster. It is odorless and
has a slightly bitter taste. Although it is an excellent central and cerebral
stimulant, its effective dose (200-500 mg) is so high that it can hardly add
any stimulating qualities to cocaine. Still it is often used as a cut. It is
soluble in water, ethanol, methanol, chloroform, and ether. On a flame
test it melts vaporizing rather slowly, producing only slight fumes with
barely any odor. Its m.p. after drying for four hours at 80 degrees C is
235-237 degrees C. Chemical Test: Add one drop of concentrated hydro¬
gen peroxide solution to 10 mg of the substance, then add five drops of
25% hydrochloric acid, and evaporate to dryness. If it is caffeine, there
will remain an orange-red residue which dissolves in a few drops of
ammonia solution and turns crimson.

CORN STARCH
This common household item requires no description. Because of its
inexpensiveness and availability it is often used by household gram dealers
for further cutting of cocaine. It is non-toxic, but can clog the nostrils and
if injected can cause blood clots and emboli. A simple kitchen test will re¬
veal its presence: Put a few drops of tincture of iodine in a few mililiters of
a solution of the substance and shake well. If corn starch is present the
solution will turn indigo blue. When heated the color will fade and return
upon cooling.

9
EPHEDRINE SULFATE
This white crystalline alkaloid is derived from the leafless Ephedra
plant. It is a sympathetic stimulant and moderate central stimulant. It is
used medicinally as a bronchial and nasal decongestant. It is fairly safe and
its side effects mostly are the result of its central stimulating properties
(dizziness, nervousness, and insomnia). There is no synergistic action be¬
tween ephedrine and cocaine. It is soluble in water; slightly soluble in
ether; and insoluble in chloroform. Chemical Test: To a solution of 50
mg of the substance in one ml of water add three drops of R-copper (II)
sulfate solution, then add one ml of R-sodium hydroxide solution. If it is
ephedrine, it will turn violet. And if an equal volume of butanol is added
and the mixture shook, the butanol layer when it separates will be reddish-
violet.

INOSITOL
The name refers to any of a group of hexahydroxy-cyclohexanes, but
the type used to cut cocaine is the one known as meso-inositol or myo¬
inositol. It is a non-toxic B vitamin derived from corn and comes as white
crystalline granules, which can be purchased inexpensively at most health
food stores. Although a hexahydric alcohol like mannitol, it has no laxa¬
tive effects. It is absorbed rather easily by the membranes and causes no
irritation. It has a slightly sweet taste. It is soluble in water, but insolu¬
ble in ethanol, methanol, chloroform, and ether. On a flame test it melts
at first, then burns or decomposes to a black ash. Its m.p. is 224-227
degrees C. Chemical Test: Add six ml of nitric acid to one ml of 1/50
solution of material. Evaporate to dryness on a water bath. Dissolve resi¬
due in 0.5 ml strontium nitrate (1/10) solution. Evaporate as before. If
it is inositol, residue will be red-purple.

LACTOSE
Also known as milk sugar is a white crystalline powder or mass com¬
mercially derived from whey. Because it sells for less than $2.00 a pound
in health food stores and pharmacies it is often used to cut cocaine. It is
non-toxic, except in rare allergy cases. It tends to clump into a mass when
it absorbs moisture. Because of this it will clog the nostrils, which is not
only uncomfortable, but also obstructs the absorption of the cocaine. It is
not as sweet as sucrose, but sweeter than mannite and inositol. It is soluble
in water; somewhat soluble in ethanol and methanol; and insoluble in
ether and chloroform. On a flame test it bubbles, carmelizes, then decom¬
poses at 203.5 degrees C to a black ash while producing a thick, sweet
smelling smoke. Chemical Test: Add five ml of 5% sodium hydroxide solu¬
tion to five ml of a 1/20 solution of the material and gently warm it. If it
is lactose, it will turn yellow then reddish-brown.

10
LIDOCAINE
Usually encountered as the hydrochloride and also known as lignocaine
hydrochloride and Xylocaine, it is the only local anesthetic adulterant
commonly used as a cocaine cut that does not belong to the synthetic
benzoic ester group. Therefore, it does not respond to the bleach water
test. It occurs as an odorless, white crystalline powder with a slightly
bitter taste followed by a numbing of the tongue. It has five times the
anesthetic potency of procaine, but it is no more toxic than cocaine. It is
soluble in water, ethanol, methanol, and chloroform; and insoluble in
ether, benzene, and petroleum ether. Its m.p. is 76-79 degrees C. Chemical
Test: Prepare a solution of 250 mg of the substance in 10 ml of water and
add sodium hydroxide solution until pH is alkaline, filter this solution and
wash residue in filter several times with water, dissolve 100 mg of the
residue in one ml of ethanol or methanol, add 10 drops of 10% cobalt
chloride solution, and shake well for two minutes. If it is lidocaine hydro¬
chloride, a bluish-green precipitate will form.
Free base lidocaine is sometimes used as a cocaine cut. It comes as
white to pale yellow crystals with a slightly bitter taste and a character¬
istic odor. It is soluble in ethanol, methanol, chloroform, ether and ben¬
zene; and insoluble in cold water. Its m.p. is 66-69 degrees C. Chemical
Test: Dissolve 100 mg of the substance in one ml of ethanol or methanol
add 10 drops of 10% cobalt chloride solution, and shake well for two
minutes. If it is free base lidocaine, a bluish-green precipitate will form.

MANNITE
Also known as mannitol and Mennita (trade name) is a white crystal¬
line hexahydric alcohol found naturally in the manna ash tree and several
other plants. It is prepared commercially from glucose and comes as a
powder, granules or compressed blocks. The latter is the prefered form for
coke dealers. It is imported as such from Europe, where it is used as a
baby laxative. When used as a cocaine cut it is shaved and chopped with a
razor blade. It has the same glistening appearance as cocaine. The pow¬
dered form lacks the lustre of the shaved block, but is often dissolved
with cocaine and reconstituted by evaporation with good results. Mannite
is one of the prefered cuts for coke. It is non-toxic easily absorbed, and
does not irritate the membranes. It may have some laxative effect if much
is used. It may also cause running nose. It has a slightly sweet taste. It is
very soluble in water; slightly soluble in ethanol and methanol; and insolu¬
ble in ether. On a flame test it melts and evaporates producing fumes
which are hardly visible, but which can be ignited like those of cocaine.
It leaves no residue on the foil. Its m.p. is 165-167 degrees C. Chemical
Test: Saturate one ml water with the material, add 0.5 ml ferric chloride
test solution, add 0.25 ml sodium hydroxide solution, shake well. If it
is mannitol, the solution will be clear and remain so upon further addition
of sodium hydroxide.

11
METHEDRINE
Properly called methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly called
speed, it is an odorless, bitter tasting, white crystalline powder, which is
produced synthetically. It is a potent stimulant of the central and sympa¬
thetic nervous systems, cerebreal centers, and metabolic processes. It is
illegal except when dispensed by medical prescription. Many of its pro¬
perties are similar to those of cocaine, but its differences are apparent to
the observant tester. It produces euphoric stimulation as does cocaine, but
its effects last much longer. It causes smarting and drying of membranes,
appetite supression and loosening of the bowels like cocaine, but more
severely and for a longer time. It may also cause dizziness, anxiety, cardiac
stress and palpitations, aggressive behavior, and insomnia, especially if
used immoderately, but again these would be more exaggerated than with
cocaine. Unlike cocaine it causes an aching tightness in the neck, jaw, and
facial muscles. Also, unlike cocaine, tolerance may develop if immoderate
amounts are being used on a daily basis. It is soluble in water, ethanol,
methanol, and chloroform; and insoluble in ether. On a flame test it melts
•«

and evaporates like cocaine, but at a slightly lower temperature and with
considerable sizzling and popping. Also, like cocaine, it leaves no residue.
Its m.p. is 171-175 degrees C. Chemical Test: Prepare a test solution of
two drops of formaldehyde in three ml of sulfuric acid. Put three drops of
this mixture on one mg of the substance. If it is methedrine, it will turn
brick-red instantly and later change to brown and eventually dull olive-
green.

PEMOLINE
This is a synthetically produced hydantoin group chemical which
occurs as a fine, shiny, white crystalline powder. It is a cerebral and cen¬
tral stimulant which is devoid of most of the unpleasant side effects of the
amphetamines such as muscular tension, membrane drying, cardiac stress,
tolerance development, and addiction potential. It is tasteless, odorless,
and non-irritating to the mucous membranes. It is legal and inexpensive,
and for these reasons has been turning up in samples of black market
cocaine. It is slower to take effect than cocaine, but its effects last longer.
Its only real drawback is that if a large amount has been taken its effect
will linger for many hours after the cocaine stimulation has subsided and
insomnia may be experienced. When rubbed between the thumb and fin¬
gers it has a silky and almost greasy feeling. It is soluble in ethanol,
methanol, benzene, chloroform, and acetone; slightly soluble in hot water;
and insoluble in ether, and cold water. When dropped in water it floats on
the surface as a shiny crystalline layer. On a flame test it melts producinq
white fumes with the odor of burning plastic and leaves a brownish-gold
stain. Its m.p. is 259 deqrees C. Microscopic Crystal Test: Treated with
picric acid it produces blades and serrated plates; treated with trinitro-
benzoic acid it produces long plates (best viewed under polarized light).
This test requires a microscope and knowledge of crystalline formations.

12
The simplest way to detect the presence of pemoline is to familiarize one¬
self with its appearance as it separates from the cocaine and floats in the
water glass test.

PROCAINE
Also known as Novacaine, Allocaine, Ethocaine, Biocaine, Genocaine,
Syncaine, and Clinocaine sometimes is found in the free base form, but
more often comes as the hydrochloride. The latter usually appears as a
white crystalline powder or salt-like crystals. It is a synthetic benzoic
ester structurally related to cocaine with a salty, slightly bitter taste. It
numbs the tongue like cocaine, but lacks any stimulating properties.
It has fairly lox toxicity (about 1/3 that of cocaine) and in the body it
breaks down to PABA, which is a B vitamin, and DEAE, another sub¬
stance norma! in the hody; Like cocaine it leaves trailers when dropped in
water which fools many a customer, but if bleach is added to the water,
procaine will turn brick-red, which cocaine will not do. It is soluble in
water, ethane! and methanol; very slightly soluble in chloroform; and
almost insoluble in ether. On a flame test it melts and evaporates produc¬
ing thick, white fumes with a mild chlorine odor; the molten matter
turns yellow, then becomes dark gold, finally leaving a golden brown
stain. Its m.p. is 153-156 degrees C. Chemical Test: To a solution of 100
mg of the substance in five ml of water add two drops of dilute sulfuric
acid, stir, then add five drops of 0.1-N potassium permanganate test solu¬
tion. If it is procaine hydrochloride, the permanganate's purple-brown
tint will disappear.
Free base procaine is a dull white powder with a faintly bitter taste. It
numbs the tongue within a few seconds. Because it is poorly soluble in
water it tends to clog in the nostrils. Also this makes it dangerous to inject
as it can form blood clots and emboli. Otherwise it is pharmacologically
similar to the hydrochloride. When dropped in water it does not descend
leaving trailers like the hydrochloride, but floats on the surface forming
marble-patterned clusters. When dropped in bleach water it floats similar¬
ly, but gradually reacts turning first yellowish, then deepening to pale
orange and eventually brick-red. After turning color some of the particles
may sink below the surface. It is soluble in ethanol, methanol, chloroform,
benzene, and ether. On a flame test it melts swiftly with slightly visible
fumes and leaves no residue. Its m.p. is 60 degrees C.

QUININE SULFATE
This drug derived from cinchona bark was formerly used as a malaria
treatment, but has been replaced by safer drugs. It is an odorless, bitter
tasting, white crystalline powder. It is more often used as a heroin cut than
a cocaine cut. A large percentage of supposed heroin overdoses are actually
due to the quinine; not the heroin. Some heroin dealers who also deal co¬
caine have been known to cut their coke with the same quinine that they
use to cut their smack. It can cause ringing of the ears, headaches, impared
hearing, visual disturbances, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and blood pressure

13
drop. It is especially dangerous when injected. It is soluble in hot ethanol;
slightly soluble in hot water; and insoluble in ether, chloroform, and cold
water. Chemical Test: Dissolve five mg of the substance in five ml of hot
ethanol, add two drops of bromine test solution and one ml of ammonia
test solution, shake well, and let :t stand for a few minutes. If it is quinine,
it will gradually turn green.

SUCROSE
This is ordinary cane sugar. Its solubilities and flame test responses are
similar to those of lactose. It is somewhat sweeter than lactose, however.
Chemical Test: Add two ml of dilute sulfuric acid to 100 mg of the sub¬
stance, heat to boiling, add four ml of 5% sodium hydroxide solution and
three ml of Fehling's test solution, heat again to boiling. If it is sucrose, a
red precipitate will occur.

TETRACAINE
Found in the hydrochloride form, and also known as pontocaine and
amethocaine is an odorless, white crystalline powder with a slightly bitter
taste. It has about the same anesthetic potency as cocaine, and more than
twice its toxicity. It is a synthetic benzoic ester with no stimulating ef¬
fects. It numbs the tongue and this numbing lasts longer than that of pro¬
caine. It is soluble in ethanol, methanol, and water; and insoluble in ben¬
zene and ether. It turns brick-red in bleach water. Its m.p. is 147-150
degrees C. Chemical Test: To a solution of 100 mg of the substance in
10 ml of water add 0.2 mi of dilute hydrochloric acid and 0.2 mi of 10%
sodium nitrite solution, stir gently, then slowly add this solution to 2 ml
of beta-naphthol solution. If it is tetracaine hydrochloride, no color reac¬
tion will occur, but a white precipitate will appear.

YOHIMBINE HYDROCHLORIDE
This is a fluffy, white or sometimes pale blue, finely powdered alka¬
loid derived from the bark of the West African tree Corynanthe yohimbe.
It is an indole based chemical with subtle but definite stimulant and psy¬
choactive properties. It also possesses what might fairly be called aphro¬
disiac properties in that it is a serotonin inhibitor and stimulant of the
spinal ganglia which produce erection. It is a pleasant enough drug for
most people, but may present dangers in certain cases. If a person suffers
from existing damage to the heart, liver or kidneys, this substance may
antagonize the condition. It can be dangerous to take this drug with alco¬
hol and especially with amphetamines as it is synergistically potentiating
with them. Persons who do so will most likely suffer palpations of the
heart, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, severe blood pressure drop, and
shivers. These symptoms usually pass after an hour or so, but are extreme¬
ly uncomfortable. Since several underground publications have given
reports on this legal drug it has been showing up occasionally in analysis
of street cocaine samples. It is soluble in hot water, slightly soluble in cold

14
water, cold ethanol and cold methanol; and insoluble in ether, and ace¬
tone. On a flame/foil test it melts producing thick white fumes with a
characteristic indole odor faintly like moth flakes, as it evaporates the
mass turns brownish-gold finally leaving a black stain. Its m.p. is 302 de¬
grees C. Chemical Test: Add three drops of concentrated nitric acid to 10
mg of the substance. If it is yohimbine hydrochloride, it will turn dark
green then fade to yellow. Then upon addition of two mi of 10% potass¬
ium hydroxide in ethanol it will turn cherry-red.

TESTING FOR PRESENCE OF COCAINE

Dissolve 100 mg of the sample in 5 ml of water, and add 5 drops of
chromium trioxide test solution which is prepared by dissolving 500 mg
of chromium trioxide in 10 ml of water. If the sample is cocaine hydro¬
chloride, a yellow precipitate will occur. If the mixture is heated slightly
(preferably on a water bath), the precipitate will redissolve. If one ml of
hydrochloric acid is added, an orange-yellow precipitate will occur.

TO ESTIMATE PURITY OF SAMPLE

Dissolve 100 mg of the sample in 5 ml of water, add three drops of di¬
lute sulfuric acid, stir, add one drop of permanganate test solution (pre¬
pared by dissolving 100 mg of potassium permanganate in 10 ml of water).
If the cocaine hydrochloride sample is fairly pure, the mixture will have a
pink tint that will gradually fade, but not entirely disappear during the
next 30 minutes. If it does not take on this pink tint, or if the tint disap¬
pears before 30 minutes has elapsed, the sample is probably not very
pure. To make a rough estimate of its purity use progressively stronger
solutions of the sample. For example: if 150 mg of 5 ml is required to
obtain a pink tint that will not totally fade before 30 minutes, the sample
was about 60% pure; if 200 mg is required, the sample was 50% pure.
If much more than 100 mg of actual cocaine has been dissolved in the
water and the test is conducted, rhombic plates will precipitate. When
heated these will decompose. If there is an odor of bitter almonds during
decomposition, this indicates the presence of cinnamyl-cocaine. It is then
probable that the sample is mixed alkaloidal rather than pharmaceuti¬
cal cocaine. In that case the following test will determine if this is so:

TO DISTINGUISH PHARMACEUTICAL FROM MIXED

ALKALOIDAL COCAINE
Prepare a saturated solution of the cocaine hydrochloride in a mini¬
mum amount of water, add to it a few drops of concentrated ammonia
solution, and stir vigorously for 5 minutes. If the sample is pharmaceuti¬
cal cocaine, crystals will deposit on the stirring rod and the walls of the
beaker. If it is mixed alkaloidal cocaine, instead of producing crystals the
solution will turn milky because the other alkaloids are converted into

15
their free bases and separate out as oily drops. This is not a test for the
purity of cocaine bought on the black market. It only tells whether the
product contains the other coca alkaloids or not. It takes a substantial
measure of cocaine to carry out this test. The cocaine and companion
alkaloids can be salvaged, however, by treating the solution dropwise with
hydrochloric acid until the crystals or oily droplets redissolve, neautraliz-
ing dropwise with very dilute ammonia solution, evaporating on a hot oil
bath, washing through a filter paper with acetone or chloroform, evaporat¬
ing on a hot water bath, and drying overnight in a desiccator.

MELTING POINT TEST

Throughout this book we have given melting points or melting ranges
of cocaine and the various cuts. This is a most exacting test which re¬
quires special equipment. Melt point test kits are available from scientific
equipment supply houses and usually include instructions for use. A com¬
plete description of the technique is given in The Pleasures of Cocaine by
this same author. Simply expressed, it involves packing a glass capillary
tube with a heat dried sample of the substance to be tested, immersing it
in a silicon oil bath with a thermometer, gradually raising the tempera¬
ture of the bath until the material melts or decomposes, and noting at
what exact temperature this occurs. Pure cocaine hydrochloride should
melt somewhere between 192 and 197 degrees C. If it contains a cut, its
melting point may deviate widely. Sometimes the cut may be observed
melting out at a lower temperature if it has a vastly lower m.p. than that
of cocaine. But usually it simply causes a deviation of the cocaine m.p. To
properly test the m.p. of the cut it is necessary in most cases to isolate the
cut by solvent extraction. This process is described in detail in this book
under Solvent Test.

16
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