Chemicals normally used in the conversion of morphine to heroin
The following paragraphs describe the various chemicals used in the conver- sion of morphine to heroin. In Hong Kong some of these chemicals are classified as dangerous drugs, poisons or dangerous goods, and are subject to varying degrees of control. The section of this booklet on the manufacture of
heroin describes the functions of these chemicals in the manufacturing pro-
cess.
Acetylating Substances
An acetylating substance is essential to convert morphine to heroin-acetic anhydride being the most commonly used. In many countries acetic anhy- dride is used industrially in large quantities in the manufacture of syn- thetic fibres, plastics, celluloid film and various pharmaceutical products. Only small quantities are used for legitimate purposes in Hong Kong, and it is therefore possible to exercise strict control to prevent it being diverted to the illicit market. These controls are imposed by the Acetylating Substances (Control) Ordinance 1975, which covers import, export, manufacture and possession. Severe penalties are provided under the ordinance with the more serious offences being punishable by imprisonment for 15 years and a fine of HK$1 million. Acetic anhy- dride, acetyl chloride and acetyl brom- ide are all controlled by the ordin-
ance.
Acetic Anhydride
Acetic anhydride-also known as acetic oxide, acetyl oxide and ethanoic anhydride is a colourless liquid with a pungent lachrymatory odour. It is heavier than water in which it will sink to the bottom and form a separate layer. This is a simple field test which can be used to distinguish acetic anhydride from glacial acetic acid, a similar chemical but not an acetyla- ting substance under the Ordinance. Investigations indicate that most of the acetic anhydride used in the manu- facture of heroin in Hong Kong is smuggled from Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. However, because of the strict control on its import under the
A jerry can of acetic anhydride
Acetylating Substances (Control) Or- dinance, the chemical has been manu- factured illicitly in Hong Kong and three such cases have been detected by the police since 1974. A section of this booklet is devoted to the manufacture of acetic anhydride. Acetyl Chloride and Acetyl Bromide
Acetyl chloride (ethanoyl chloride) and acetyl bromide (ethanoyl bromide) may be used instead of acetic anhy- dride to acetylate morphine. Both of these chemicals are, however, danger- ous to handle and hard to obtain. Only one heroin factory where acetyl chlo- ride has been used to acetylate mor- phine has been detected. Controls: Acetylating
Substances
(Control) Ordinance, Dangerous Goods (Classification) Regulations, Category 3 (corrosive substances). Other Reagents Activated Charcoal Description: a fine black powder Controls: Nil Alcohol
Description: a colourless liquid with
a sweet odour. Controls: Dangerous Goods (Clas- sification) Regulations, Category 5
11
TETIC WHWURDE
(substances giving off inflammable vapour). Ammonia Description:
liquid. Controls:
a colourless pungent
Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, Poisons List, Part II. Dangerous Goods (Classification) Regulations, Category 4, Class 1 (substances giving off a poisonous gas or vapour). Chloroform
Description: a colourless volatile liquid, not miscible with water, forming a separate layer on the bottom.
Controls:
Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, Poisons List, Part I. Dangerous Goods (Classification) Regulations, Category 4, Class 1 (substances giving off a poisonous gas or vapour). Ether
Description: a colourless and extremely volatile liquid, not miscible with water, forming a separate layer on the surface. Controls: Dangerous Goods (Classi- fication) Regulations, Category 5, Division 1 (substances giving off in- flammable vapour).