The year 2002 witnessed a total number of 51 ecstasy-related cases with 3397.75 pills compared to 77 cases in the year 2001 which decreased by about 34%. Statistics divided from years 2001-2002 suggest that ecstasy-related cases took ice and ketamine as the main components, wilh MDMA and MDA declining (see Diagram 3).

Diagram 3 :Percentage of ecstasy component submitted for analysis (2001-2002)

        The amount of ketamine submitted for analysis decreases prominently the year before with cases from 86 in the previous year to 56, and with amount reducing by half from 1654.69g to 882.75g. Regarding ice, the year 2002 witnessed 11 cases that are submitted for analysis, an increase in one fold compared to the previous year, while the amount raised by 47 times compared to the previous year with total weight accounting to 649.93g. As far as Benzodiazepines is concerned, cases and amount of Diazepam and Triazolam are similar to that of the previous year with Midazolam taking up a prevailing position in cases and amount. In addition, Nimetazepam (also known as 5-Zai) took an upward trend amounting to 862 pills, an increase of 20 times compared to 43 pills in the previous year, that is worth considering (see Diagram 4).

Diagram 4: Percentage of Benzodiazepines and psychotropic substances

        A big change in the form of logo of ecstasy seized in 2002 is noted. As part from the usual round pills, there appear square, octagonal, and oval form and drug in the form of capsule is encountered for the first time. As far as composition is concerned, ice continues to dominate in ecstasy tablets that contain no MDMA nor MDA. As for component, cases of ecstasy are still with ice as the main component without MDMA or MDA. In addition, there were two cases with amounting to 756 Dimethamphetamine pills that were Amphetamine derivative. Apart from having Ketamine and Caffeine as components of commonly encountered ecstasy, Paracetamol and Phenacetin are also commonly found. In addition, Barbital and Diazepam are sometimes encountered. In 2002, besides Ketamine that was commonly seen, there appeared Procaine and Lidocaine.

        Since August 2002 when the Forensic Laboratory has developed quantitative analysis on MDMA, MDA, Ice and Ketamine, it has undertaken many cases on quantitative analysis on ecstasy. There were total of 35 cases submitted for analysis in the whole year, and amongst these a total of 115 exhibits were submitted, upon which 48 were made quantitative analysis on Ketamine, in both ecstasy and powder, 38 on Ice including crystal "Ice". In addition, MDMA and MDA took up 2 and 9 exhibits respectively (see diagram 5).

Diagram5: Statistics of exhibits submitted for quantitative analysis

        Findings from quantitative analysis show that the content of MDMA in ecstasy range from 26% - 50%; MDA 31% - 38%; Ketamine 1% - 66% and Ice 1% - 31%. The content of Ketamine in powder range from 0.3% - 97%, an extreme difference; in addition, the content of Ice in "K powder" ranges from 4% - 10%, and that in crystal submitted for analysis is an average of 84%.

        In 2002, the Forensic Laboratory did not encounter any case on LSD related to black sesame nor any new forms of drugs, however, amount of ecstasy and Ice increased considerably. For instance 410g of ketamine was encountered with a case in July, 850g of Ice in August and 870 of ecstasy in November were prominent cases over the years.

        Moreover, it is worth considering the change in the forms of drugs submitted for analysis, for example, liquid Ketamine was encountered in September and capsule ecstasy found in November. In addition, cases encountered in March and August involved sedative sleeping pills inside beverages of the two cases, Diazepam and Triazolam were found respectively.

(2) Future Development and Planning

        Over the past year, apart from completing qualitative analyses on drugs, the Forensic Laboratory also developed quantitative analysis. As required by the local criminal law, it is expected that there will be more and more cases requesting quantitative analysis. The Forensic Laboratory will raise the level of equipments, technology and staff to provide law-enforcing agencies with highly effective service on evidence. At the same time, the laboratory will continue to maintain close ties with other international and neighboring forensic laboratories plus other related anti-drug agencies, such as the Forensic Science Division of the Government Laboratory of Hong Kong SAR, the Singapore Forensic Laboratory, various related examination centers in China, the Drug Enforcement Administration of America as well as the United Nations Drug-Control Organization etc., and to strengthen staff training and participating in international and neighboring regions' drug-related conferences and seminars in the hope that chemists and technicians can acquire the latest drug-related information and technical knowledge so as to make progress and innovation in laboratory work.

Note: Statistics and data of this article is derived from cases submitted for analysis by Drug Criminal Cases Investigation Division under Judiciary Police, Public Security Police, Macao Customs Service, Public Prosecutions Office and Lower Court - Examining Magistracy.