Trace Analysis of Cocaine and Heroin in Different Customs Scenarios using a Custom-Built Ion Mobility Spectrometer

ABSTRACTAn ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) has been developed and tested for use in the detection of cocaine and heroin in various Customs scenarios. Different methods of introduction of the sample into the IMS have been tested in the laboratory and in the field. In laboratory tests, detection limits of 5 and 9 ng (acetone solutions), 250 and 400 ng (solid mixtures with cellulose directly inserted into the IMS), and 400 and 800 ng (solid mixtures with cellulose through a continuous sampler) were observed for cocaine and heroin, respectively. In field tests, the IMS was used for drug detection in letter mail and cargo containers. The instrument responded correctly in 99.4% of the letters inspected whereas a 72.2% correct response was obtained during the inspection of cargo containers. The time span from the introduction of the material to its detection by the instrument is less than 5 seconds.