Illicit Drug Trafficking and Border Control with Mira DS: Safe Fentanyl Identification

Importance of the Topic

The illegal import and distribution of fentanyl has driven a surge in overdose deaths and poses a heightened risk to both public health and law enforcement personnel. Rapid, reliable detection at borders and checkpoints is vital to prevent synthetic opioids from entering communities and to protect officers from accidental exposure.

Goals and Overview of the Study

This white paper evaluates the performance of a handheld Raman spectrometer (Mira DS) combined with a test-strip based ID Kit for on-site identification of bulk and trace amounts of fentanyl and its analogues. It demonstrates compliance with ASTM standards for field detection of illicit substances and compares conventional Raman analysis with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering methods for improved sensitivity.

Methodology

• Bulk Analysis: Pure powders (5 mg) were measured through glass vials using the Long Working Distance Smart Tip. Mixtures were prepared at 5 mg/mL, dried and analyzed directly.
• Trace Detection: ID Kit strips extracted fentanyl from complex samples via ethyl acetate. Strips were inserted into a SERS-A Smart Tip, with Smart Acquire routines automatically optimizing laser power and integration time.
• Standards Compliance: Procedures were aligned with ASTM WK66045 guidelines to validate qualitative identification in the presence of common adulterants and fluorescent interferents.

Used Instrumentation

• Mira DS handheld Raman spectrometer with 785 nm and 1064 nm excitation options.
• Long Working Distance and SERS-A Smart Tips for bulk and trace analysis.
• ID Kit Illicit Material test strips for selective extraction and SERS enhancement.

Main Results and Discussion

• Analogues Discrimination: Raman spectra of cis and trans isomers of fentanyl analogues exhibited distinct peak patterns, enabling clear differentiation using the Mira DS library of over 230 analogues.
• Mixture Challenges: Standard Raman of fentanyl in a mannitol adulterant was dominated by filler signals, masking target peaks.
• SERS Enhancement: ID Kit extractions produced spectra with enhanced fentanyl peaks, facilitating positive identification against a dedicated fentanyl library even at trace levels.
• Fluorescence Management: 1064 nm excitation mitigated fluorescence from excipients but detected only dominant components; SERS reliably revealed low-level fentanyl signatures.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid Field Identification: Instant, non-destructive point-and-shoot testing for bulk seizures, yielding results in seconds.
• Trace Detection: Simple strip-based extraction enables forensic teams to confirm fentanyl in complex street samples with minimal preparation.
• Operational Safety: Compact, rugged design reduces exposure risk and can be deployed by minimally trained personnel at checkpoints and border crossings.
• Standards Alignment: Conformance with ASTM protocols ensures data quality and defensibility in enforcement actions.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Continued expansion of spectral libraries to include emerging fentanyl analogues, development of more robust SERS substrates for enhanced sensitivity, integration with laboratory information management systems and cloud platforms for real-time intelligence sharing, and coupling with AI-driven spectral deconvolution to streamline on-site workflows.

Conclusion

The combination of Mira DS handheld Raman spectroscopy and ID Kit SERS test strips provides a powerful, portable solution for the rapid identification of fentanyl and its analogues at borders and in the field. By delivering reliable results for both bulk materials and trace residues, this approach supports law enforcement in preventing synthetic opioids from entering communities and protects operators from hazardous exposure.

References

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5. US Customs and Border Protection. CBP Enforcement Statistics Fiscal Year 2021.
6. ASTM WK66045. New Specification for Field Detection Equipment and Assays Used for Fentanyl and Related Compounds.
7. Bumbrah GS; Sharma RM. Raman spectroscopy for drugs of abuse characterization. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2016;6:209–215.