A study of the use of Ephedra in the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine

Abstract

There is significant evidence pertaining to the exploitation of flu medications as a source of pseudoephedrine for illicit methamphetamine manufacture. This problem has been noted worldwide. In New Zealand, strict controls have been placed on the sale and possession of such medicines under both the Medicines Act 1981 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. This has prompted the manufacturers of methamphetamine to seek alternate sources of pseudoephedrine. New Zealand customs officials and the New Zealand police, in relation to clandestine methamphetamine manufacture, have seized Ephedra, a plant known to contain high quantities of pseudoephedrine. In addition to (+)-pseudoephedrine and one of its diastereomers, (-)-ephedrine, Ephedra also contains (-)-norephedrine, (+)-norpseudoephedrine, (-)-methylephedrine and (+)-methylpseudoephedrine. These diastereomeric pairs can, upon reduction, produce (+)-methamphetamine, (+)-amphetamine and (+)-N,N-dimethylamphetamine respectively. Ephedra preparations, such as capsules, can contain alkaloids at similar levels to pharmaceutical products. The reduction of pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine has already been the subject of studies by several forensic chemists.