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Pcp Tablets Sold As Mdma

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Product No. 2001-L0424-003
BULLETI
I N F O R M A T I O N
APRIL 2001
N
U. S. D E P A R T M E N T O F J U S T I C E
PCP Tablets
Sold as MDMA
The purpose of this Information Bulletin is to inform the law enforcement and treatment communities
about the nontraditional distribution of the hallucinogen PCP (phencyclidine). In one recent case,
PCP was distributed as the club drug MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) in the
Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. In another, tablets containing PCP, ketamine, ephedrine, and
caffeine were being sold as MDMA in Upstate New York.
Tablets composed entirely of the hallucinogen PCP
of 237 mg. They were found to contain PCP,
(phencyclidine)—as revealed by laboratory analysis—
ketamine, ephedrine, and caffeine. Three of the tablets
but sold as MDMA (ecstasy) are being distributed in
were imprinted with a “K” logo. The other tablets were
Northern Virginia. The Fairfax County Police Depart-
too eroded to distinguish any logo. This was the first
ment (FCPD) first encountered the tablets during an
encounter with this combination of drugs in tablet form
undercover drug operation in December 2000, and
at the Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory.
since that time the FCPD has seized approximately
500 tablets from three Washington D.C.-based dis-
Although these could be isolated incidents, law
tributors. The tablets, slightly smaller in diameter than
enforcement and treatment providers should be mind-
a common aspirin tablet, are engraved with a Pokémon
ful that PCP continues to be available primarily in
cartoon character known as “Pikachu.” They are
liquid form in select metropolitan areas throughout
orange in color with orange specks, are flat with bev-
the nation.
eled edges, and have no protective glaze or coating.
PCP’s effects include sensory deprivation that
The FCPD has also seized white tablets imprinted with
deadens pain. PCP abusers often display unpredictable
the Pikachu character, but those contained MDMA
and violent behavior that may present high risks to law
only. The tablets are being sold for $15 each.
enforcement and others. The absorption of PCP via skin
In an earlier incident, the Monroe County Public
exposure to tablet dust also presents a potential hazard
Safety Laboratory in Rochester, New York, received
to law enforcement personnel. To date, medical emer-
a submission in August 2000 consisting of six tan
gency personnel in Fairfax County have not reported
tablets, each 7 mm in diameter with an average weight
any recent cases of PCP-related admissions.
Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Police Department.
This document may contain dated information.
It has been made available to provide access to historical materials.
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PCP Tablets Sold as MDMA
PCP, a synthetic drug, has been a Schedule II
makeshift manufacture, resulting in a color ranging
drug under the Controlled Substances Act since
from tan to brown. Its consistency ranges from a crys-
1978. The chemicals required to manufacture PCP
talline powder to a gummy mass. PCP is commonly
are readily available and inexpensive, and the pro-
applied to a leafy material, such as parsley, mint,
duction process is fairly simple. In its pure form,
oregano, or marijuana, and smoked. According to
PCP is a white crystalline powder that is readily
the Drug Enforcement Administration, PCP has not
soluble in water or alcohol but can be pressed into
commonly been distributed in tablet form since the
tablets. Most PCP contains contaminants from its
late 1970s.
DEA–Washington, DC 20537 • (202) 307-8270 • www.usdoj.gov/dea
NDIC–319 Washington Street 5th Floor, Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 • (814) 532-4601 • www.usdoj.gov/ndic
This document may contain dated information.
It has been made available to provide access to historical materials.