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u.s. Department of Justice

Drug Enforcement Administration
Office of Intelligence

September 1992

Opium Poppy' Cultivation

and Heroin Processing
in Southeast Asia

. eC
7

7 s DEA- 92004
 141189
U.S. Department of Justice
National Institute of Justice

This document has been reproduclld exactly as received from the

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the official position or policies of the National Institute of Justice.
Permission to reproduce this : iLl i r material has been
9FUi3i~c Doroain/Drug Enforcerrent Adrm.
U • S. Department of Justice
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Further reproduOllol1 outside of the NCJRS system requires permission
of the ~ owner.

U.S. Department of Justice

Drug Enforcement Administration
Office of Intelligence
Washington, DC 20537
(202) 307-8100

September 1992
 ADMINISTRATOR·S MESSAGE

Opium Poppy Cultivation and Heroin Processing in Southeast Asia reviews in detail several
complex natural and chemical procedures linked with heroin production. It further explains
how the opium poppy plant of Southeast Asia is grown and harvested, how the poppy's opium
is chemically converted into morphine, and fmally. how that morphine is then refmed into
"China White" heroin by Southeast Asian "cooks" and "chemists." The report will interest
a wide audience: those studying "source country" issues, those determining opium poppy
crop estimates in mainland Southeast Asia, and those monitoring and controlling the
intemational import and export of chemicals.

Opium Poppy Cultivation and Heroin Processing in Southeast Asia also presents the
technical relationship between opium poppy cultivation in the Golden Triangle (the moun-
tainous region where Burma, Laos, and Thailand share common borders) and heroin
production in the laboratories of Southeast Asia.

Robert C. Bonner
Administrator of
Drug Enforcement

iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Administrator's Message ............................................................................................................................ iii

List of Illustrations ..................................................................................................................................... vi

. 0 f Maps ................................................................................................................................................ VI.
LIst

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................... vii

Origin and History of the Opium Poppy ...................................................................................................... 1

The Opium Poppy Plant ............................................................................................................................... 3

Opium Poppy Growing Areas ...................................................................................................................... 5

Field Selection and Land Clearing .................................................................. ,............................................ 7

Land Preparation and Cultivation Methods ................................................................................................. 8

Opium Harvesting Methods ........................................................................................................................ 10

Cooking Opium ........................................................................................................................................... 12

Extraction of Morphine from Opium .......................................................................................................... 13

Conversion of Morphine to Heroin Base .................................................................................................... 15

Conversion of Heroin Base to Heroin ......................................................................................................... 17

Heroin No. 3 ................................................................................................................................... 17
Heroin No. 4 ................................................................................... ", .............................................. 18

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 22

Glossary of Terms ....................................................................................................................................... 23

Distribution .................................................................................................................................................. 31

v
•

LIST OF ,ILL.USTRAT.IONS .
'" . ~ ,

Figure 1. Basic Parts of the Opium Poppy Plant ...................................................................................... 2

Figure 2. Major Opium Poppy Growing Areas in Southeast Asia ........................................................... 4

Figure 3. Ethnic Groups Involved in Opium Trafficking in Southeast Asia ........................................... 6

Figure 4. Relative Sizes of Land Areas in Mainland Southeast Asia ...................................................... 7

Figure 5. Opium Poppy Cultivation in Southeast Asia ............................................................................ 9

Figure 6. Units of Opium Weight in Southeast Asia .............................................................................. 11

Figure 7. Units of Heroin Weight in Southeast Asia .............................................................................. 12

Figure 8. Extraction of Morphine from Opium ....................................................................................... 14

Figure 9. Process of Acetylation of Morphine ........................................................................................ 14

Figure 10. Key Chemicals Used in Heroin Processing ............................................................................. 16

Figure 11. Units of Liquid Measurements ................................................................................................ 16

Figure 12. Conversion Process to Heroin No.3 ........................................................................................ 17

Figure 13. Conversion Process to Heroin No. 4 ........................................................................................ 19

Figure 14. Double U-O Globe Trademark of Southeast Asian Heroin ..................................................... 22

. LIST OF MAPS'

Map 1. Golden Triangle Area of Southeast Asia .................................................................................. 4

Map 2. Opium Poppy Cultivation Areas of Southeast Asia ................................................................ 20

vi
 , · .

ECUTIVE SUMMARY

The opium poppy has been cultivated in China and mainland Southeast Asia for more than
two centuries. The mature plant produces a highly addictive latex which may be refined tc·
produce opium for smoking, or treated with certain chemicals to produce morphine or heroin.
This report focuses on the necessary steps in this process-taking a mature but raw opium
poppy plant and synthesizing it's contents into finished heroin.

This report gives a brief history of the opium poppy plant and analyzes the plant in botanical
detail. Cultivation methods are described, to include field selection, land clearing and soil
preparation. It further explains the method of extracting morphine from opium, as the
operation typically occurs in clandestine jungle laboratories in Southeast Asia. Finally, the
intricate procedures used by heroin chemists to convert morphine to heroin are depicted step-
by-step.

A glossary of terms related to opium poppy cultivation and heroin processing in Southeast
Asia is included for reference.

Vll
-
. -
. . ORIGIN AND HistORY OF "
THE OPIUM pappy ,
~ , .

The sole source of opium is the opium poppy. The

plant is believed to have evolved from a wild strain,
Papaver setigerum, which grows in coastal areas of
the Mediterranean Sea. Through centuries of culti-
vation and breeding for its opium, a species of the
plant evolved that is now known as somnijerum.
Today, Papaver somnijerum is the only species of
Papaver which produces opium. The genus, Papaver,
is the Greek word for "poppy." The species,
somnijerum, is Latin for "sleep inducing."

The psychological effects of opium may have been

known to the ancient Sumerians (circa 4000 B.C.)
whose symbol for the poppy wus hul ("joy") and gil
("plant"). The plant was known in Europe at least
4,000 years ago as evidenced by fossil remains of
poppy seed cake and poppy pods found in the Swiss
Lake Dwellings of the Neolithic Age. Opium was
probably consumed by the ancient Egyptians and
was known to the Greeks as well. The poppy is also
referred to in Homer's works The Iliad and The
Odyssey. In addition, Hippocrates (460-357 B.C.),
the father of medicine, recommended drinking the
juice of the white poppy mixed with the seed of
nettle.

The opium poppy probably reached China about the

Flowering poppy plant with two younger flower buds.
7th century A.D. through the efforts of Arab traders
who advocated its use for medicinal purposes. In
Chinese literature, however, there are earlier refer-
ences to its use. The noted Chinese surgeon Hua To In 1803, the German pharmacist Serturner isolated
of the Three Kingdoms (220-264 A.D.) used opium and described the principal alkaloid in opium, which
preparations and Cannabis indica for his patients to he named morphium after Morpheus, the Greek god
swallow before undergoing major surgery. of dreams. The invention of the syringe and the
discovery of other alkaloids of opium soon followed:
The beginning of widespread opium use in China has codeine in 1832 and papaverine in 1848. By the
been associated by some historians with the intro- 1850s, the medical use of pure alkaloids rather than
duction of tobacco into that country by the Dutch crude opium preparations was common.
from Java in the 17th century. The Chinese were
reported to mix opium with tobacco. The practice
was adopted throughout the area and eventually In the United States, opium preparations became
resulted in increased opium smoking, both with and widely available in the 19th century and morphine
without tobacco. was used extensively as a painkiller for wounded

1
soldiers during the Civil War. The inevitable result Although heroin has been used in the United King-
was opium addiction, contemporarily called "the dom in the treatment of the terminally ill, its "medical
army disease" or "soldier's disease." These opium value" is a subject of intense controversy.
and morphine abuse problems prompted a scientific
search for potent but nonaddictive painkillers. In the
1870s, chemists developed an opium-based and sup-
posedly non-addictive substitute for morphine. The
Bayer pharmaceutical company of Germany was the
first to produce the new drug in large quanti ties under
the brand name Heroin. This product was obtained
by the acetylation of morphine. Soon thereafter
studies showed heroin to have narcotic and addictive
properties far exceeding those of morphine.

THE OPIUM POppy

1
HEIGHT RANGE
OF FULLY-GROWN
Papaver somniferum

OPIUM POf'P'( PlANT.

1.0-t5 METERS
(3-5 FEET)
FULLY-C:;RO\'M
U.....I--OPIUM POPF'Y FLOWER
(4 PETALS ENCLOSE MATURING POD)

~\-OIII-- MAIN STEM

MATURE
QI'IUM Poppy POD.
OR "SEED POD"
"CAPSULE"
"BULB"
"POPPY HEAD"

SECONDARY STEM
(''TILLER")

LEAF

Figure No.1. Basic Parts of the Opium Poppy Plant.

2
 ..
, . .
.
. ..
..
THt;: QPIUM POppy
.. PLANT
' . . '

The opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, is an annual Opium poppies generally flower after about 90 days
plant. From a small seed, it grows, flowers, and bears of growth and continue to flower for two to three
fruit (a "pod") only once. The entire growth cycle for weeks. The petals last for two to four days and then
most varieties of this plant takes about 120 days. The drop to reveal a small, round, green fruit which
tiny seeds, like the seeds on a poppy seed roll, continues to develop. These fruits or pods (also
germinate quickly in warmth and sufficient mois u called "seedpods," "capsules," "bulbs," or "poppy
ture. In less than six weeks, the young plant emerges heads") are either oblate, elongated, or globular and
from the soil, grows a set of four leaves, and re- mature to about the size of a chicken egg. The oblate-
sembles a small cabbage in appearance. The lobed, shaped pods are more common in Southeast Asia.
dentate lc;aves are glaucous green with a dull gray or
blue tint. Only the pod portion of the plant can produce opium
alkaloids. The skin of the poppy pod encloses the
Within two months, the plant will grow from one to wall of the pod ovary. The ovary wall consists of
two feet in height, with one primary, long, smooth three layers: the outer, middle and inner layers. The
stem. The upper portion of this stem is without plant's latex (opium) is produced within the ovary
leaves and is called the "peduncle" (see Figure 1). wall and drains into the middle layer through a
One or more secondary stems, called "tillers," may system of vessels and tubes within the pod. The cells
grow from the main stem of the plant. Single poppy of the middle layer secrete more than 95 percent of
plants in Southeast Asia often have one or more the opium when the pod is scored and harvested.
tillers.
Cultivators tap the opium from each pod while it
The main stem of a fully-matured Papaver remains on the plant. After the opium is scraped, the
somniferum ranges between two and five feet in pods are cut from the stem and allowed to dry. Once
height. The green leaves are oblong, toothed and dry, the pods are cut open and the seeds are
lobed and vary between four to fifteen inches in removed and dried in the sun before storing for the
diameter at maturity. The matured leaves have no following year's planting. An altematitive method
commercial value except for use as animal fodder. of collecting planting seeds is to collect them from
intentionally unscored pods, because scoring may
As the plant grows tall, the main stem and every tiller diminish the quality of the seeds. Aside from being
terminates in a flower bud. During the development used as planting seed, the poppy seeds may also be
ofthe bud, the peduncle portion of the stem elongates used in cooking and in the manufacture of paints and
and forms a distinctive "hook" which causes the bud perfumes. Poppy seed oil is straw-yellow in color,
to be turned upside down. As the flower develops, odorless, and has a pleasant, almond-like taste.
the peduncle straightens and the buds point upward.
A day ortwo after the buds first point upward, the two
outer segments of the bud, called "sepals," fall away,
exposing the flower petals. The exposed flower
blossom is at first crushed an:.' crinkled, but the petals
soon expand and become smooth in the sun. Poppy
flowers have four petals. The petals may be single or
double and are either white, pink, reddish purple,
crimson red, or variegated.

3
 I

-
Yunnan Province
Shan State
Kachin State .~ Laos
Kokang Area d
': .
.: Vll'l1lalll
Louangnamtha Province
J Tllllll~\I111 Bokco Province
L~uangphabang Province Son La Province
Oudomxai Province
Chiang Mlli Province Phong Sali Province
Chiang Rai Province Xaignabouli Province
Mae Hong Son Province Xiangkhoang Province
im-1it Nan Province
Tak Province
tBiilIiGiIll Houaphan Province

Figure No.2. Major Opium Poppy Growing Areas in Southeast Asia.

4
 -----------

22_
.. , .'

OPIUM POppy
GROWING AREAS

The opium poppy does best in temperate, warm Opium poppies were widely grown as anomamental
climates with low humidity and requires only a plant and for seeds in the United States until the
moderate amount of water before and during the possession of this plant was declared illegal in the
early stages of growth. In addition, the opium poppy Opium Poppy Control Act of 1942.
is a "long day" photo-responsive plant. As such,
poppies require long days ai1d short nights before The highlands of mainland Southeast Asia, at eleva-
they will develop flowers. tions of 800 meters or more above sea level, are
prime poppy growing areas. Generally speaking,
The opium poppy plant can be grown in a variety of these poppy-farming areas do not require irrigation,
soils-clay, sandy loam, sandy, and sandy clay-but fertilizer, or insecticides for successful opium yields.
it grows best in a sandy loam soil. This type of soil Most of the opium poppies of Southeast Asia are
has good moisture-retentive and nutrient-retentive grown in Burma (Myanmar), specifically in the Wa
properties, is easily cultivated and has a favorable and Kokang areas which are in the northeastern
structure for root development. Clay soil types are quadrant of the Shan State of Burma. Laos is the
hard and difficult to pulverize into a good soil tex- second-largest illicit opium-producing country in
ture. The roots of a young poppy plant cannot readily Southeast Asia and third-largest in the world. In this
penetrate clay soils, and growth is inhibited. Sandy country, poppy is cultivated extensively in Houaphan
soil, by contrast, does not retain sufficient water or and Xiangkhoang Provinces, in addition to the six
nutrients for proper growth of the plant. northern provinces of Bokeo, Louangnamtha,
Louangpnabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali and
Excessive moisture or extremely arid conditions will Xaignabouli. Poppy is also grown in many of the
adversely affect the poppy plant's growth, thus re- remote, mountainous areas of northern Thailand,
ducingthe alkaloid content Poppy plants can become particularly in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong
waterlogged and die after a heavy rainfall in poorly Son, Nan and Tak Provinces.
drained soil. Heavy rainfall in tlle second and third
months of growth can leach alkaloids from the plant In China, opium poppies are cultivated by ethnic
and spoil the harvest. Dull, rainy, or cloudy weather minority groups in the mountainous frontier regions
during this growth stage may reduce both the quan- of Yunnan Province, particularly along the border
tity and the quality of the alkaloid content. area with Burma's Kachin and Shan States. Son La
Province, situated between China and Laos, is a
The major legal opium poppy growing areas in the major opium poppy cultivation area in Vietnam.
world today are ingovemment-regulated opium farms
in India, Turkey and Tasmania, Australia. The major It is noteworthy that the dominant ethnic groups of
illegal growing areas are in the highlands of main- mainland Southeast Asia are Tlot poppy cultivators.
land Southeast Asia, specifically Burma, Laos and The Burmans and Shan of Burma, the Lao of Laos,
Thailand (the Golden Triangle), as well as adjacent the Thai of Thailand, the Han Chinese of Yunnan,
areas of southern China and northwestern Vietnam China, and the Vietnamese of Vietnam arelowlanders
(see Figure 2 and Map 1); in Southwest Asia, specifi- and do not traditionally cultivate opium poppies.
cally Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and in Mexico. Rather, it is the ethnic minority highlander groups,
Opium poppy is also grown in Lebanon, Guatemala, such as the Wa, Pa-O, Palaung, Lahu, Lisu, Hmong,
and Colombia. and Akha who grow poppies in the highlands of the
countries of Southeast Asia. (See Figure 3.)

5
A typical nuclear family of Southeast Asian high-
landers ranges between five and ten persons, including
two to five adults. An average household of poppy
fanners can cultivate and harvest about one acre of
opium poppy per year. Most of the better fields can
support opium poppy cultivation for ten years or
more without fertilization, inigation, orinsecticides,
before the soil is depleted and new fields must be
cleared.

Opium Poppy
Growers & Smokers

Kachin; Palaung; Wa; t)pium Traders & Middlemen'

Lahu (Musser, Musoe);
Lisu (Lisor, Lisaw); Kachin; Palaung; Wa;
Akha (I-kor, I-kaw); Shan (Tai Yai);
Hmong (Moo, Miao); ¥unnanese Chinese (Haw);
Mien (Iu Mien. Yao); et al. Guokang Chinese (Kokang);
Lahu (Musser, Musoe); Lisu (Lisor, Lisaw);
Akha (I-kor, I-kaw);
Hmong (Meo, Miao); Mien (Iu Mien. Yao);
Lao; Thai; el al.

Figure 3. Ethnic groups involved in opium and heroin trafficking in Southeast Asia.

6
 · .

FIELD SELECTION AND .

LAND CLEARING
- . .

In choosing a field to grow opium poppy, soil quality The slash-and-bum method is also used to clear
and acidity are critical factors and experienced fields for poppy cultivation. Before the rainy season
poppy fanners choose their fields carefully. In in April, fields by the hundreds of thousands all over
Southeast Asia, westerly orientations are typically the region are set ablaze. A fog-like yellow haze
preferred to optimize sun exposure. Most fields are hangs over the area for weeks, reducing visibility for
on mountain slopes at elevations of 1,000 meters hundreds of miles. In the mountains, the density of
(3,000 feet) ormore above sealevel. Slope gradients haze blocks out the sun and stings the eyes.
of 20 degrees to 40 degrees are considered best for
drainage .;f rain water. A typical highlander family will plant an area of two
or three rai in opium poppy (2.53 rai is equivalent to
In Mainland Southeast Asia, virgin land is prepared one acre). (See Figure 4.)
by cutting and piling all brush, vines and small trees
in the field during March. at the end of the dry season.
After allowing the brush to dry in the hot sun for
several days, the field is set afire. This method,
called "slash-and bum" or "swidden" agriculture, is
commonly practiced by dry field fanners - both
highland and lowland - throughout Mainland South-
east Asia in order to ready the land for a variety of
field crops.

USA FOOTDAIl. FElD

4,4.S9oqmcb:n
0.533 b::ctanl
1.11 Ia"CI
2.79ml

2.46 6.23
acres rai
0.403 1.00 2.53
acre hectare 6Cf1l rai
1,600 0.160 0.397 1.00
rai (Ial) sqmeters hectare acre rai

Figure 4. Relative sizes of land areas in mainland Southeast Asia.

7
 I

The opium poppy seed can be sown several ways:

LAND PREPARATION 'AND broadcast or tossed by hand; or fix-dropped by hand
CULTIVATION METHODS . into shallow holes dug with a metal-tipped dibble
stick. About one pound of opium poppy seed is
In August or September, toward the end of the rainy needed to sow one acre of land. The seeds may be
season, highland farmers in Southeast Asia prepare white, yellow, coffee-color, gray, black, or blue.
fields selected for opium poppy planting. By this Seed color is not related to the color of the flower
time, the ash resulting from the bum-off of the petals. Beans, cabbages, cotton, parsley, spinach,
previous dry season has settled into the soil, provid- squash or tobacco are usually planted with opium
ing additional nutrients, especially potash. The soil poppy. These crops neither help nor hinder the
is turned with long-handled hoes after it is softened cultivation of the opium poppy, but instead are
by the rains. The farmers then break up the large planted solely for personal consumption or as a cash
clumps of soil. Weeds and stones are tossed aside crop.
and the ground is leveled off.
In the highlands of Southeast Asia, it is also common
Traditionally, most highland and upland farmers in practice to plant maize and opium poppies in the
Southeast Asia do not use fertilizer for any of their same fields each year. The maize keeps down
crops, including the opium poppy, but in recent years excessive weeds and provides feed for the farmer's
opium poppy farmers have started using both natural pigs and ponies. It is grown from April to August.
and chemical fertilizers to increase opium poppy After harvesting the maize, and with the stalks still
yields. Chicken manure, human feces orthe regions 's standing in the fields, the ground is weeded and
abundant bat droppings are often mixed into the pulverized. Just before the end of the rainy season, in
planting soil before the opium poppy seed is planted. successive sowings throughout September and Oc-
The planting must be completed by the end of Octo- tober, the poppy seed is broadcast among the maize
ber in order to take advantage ofthe region's "long stalks. These stalks can protect young opium poppy
days" in November and December. (See Figure 5.) plants from heavy rains.

Opium poppy field cleared by "slash-and-burn" method.

8
 HARVESTING

LAND
PREPARATION
·RAINYSEASON COLD SEASON
[SEP QCT NOV DEC JAN FEB
Figure 5. Opium poppy cultivation in Southeast Asia.

The opium poppy plants fonn leaves in the first Three to four months after planting, from late De-
growth stage, called the "cabbage" or "lettuce" stage. cember to efl.:ly February, the opium poppies are in
After a month of growth. when the opium poppy is full bloom. Mature plants range between three to
about a foot high, some of the plants are removed five feet in height. Most opium poppy varieties in
(called "thinning") to allow the others more room to Southeast Asia produce three to five mature pods per
grow. The ideal spacing between plants is believed plant.
to be 20 to 40 centimeters, or about eight to twelve
plants per square meter, although some researchers A typical opium poppy field has 60,000 to 120,000
in northern Thailand have reported as many as 18 poppy plants per hectare, with a range of 120,000 to
plants per square meter. 275,000 opium-producing pods. The actual opium
yield will depend largely on weather conditions and
During the first two months, the opium poppies may the precautions taken by individual farmers to
be damaged or stunted by nature through the lack of safeguard the crop. The fanner and his family
adequate sunshine, excessive rainfall, insects, wonns, generally move into the field for the fmal two weeks,
hail stonns, early frost, or trampling by animals. The setting up a small field hut on the edge of the opium
third month of growth does not require as much care poppy field.
as the first two months.

Opium poppy field showing

flowers, pods and leaves.

9
 " '
, ,

OPIUM HARVESTING METHODS

The scoring of the pods (also called "lancing," "in- The opium yield from a single pod varies greatly,
cising," or "tapping") begins aout two weeks after ranging from 10to 100 milligrams of opium per pod.
the flower petals fall fromthe pods. The farmer The average yield is about 80 milligrams. The dlied
examines the pod and the tiny crown (see Figure 1) opium weight yield per hectare of opium poppies
portion on the top of the pod very carefully before ranges between eight and fifteen kilograms of opium.
scoring. The grayish-green pod will become a dark
green color as it matures and it will swell in size. If As the faffilers gather the opium, tlle larger or more
the points ofthe pod's crown are standing straight out productive pods are tagged with colored string or
or are cuved upward, HIe pod is ready to be scored. If yarn. These pods will later be cut from their stems,
the crown's points turn downward, the pod is not yet cut open, dried in the sun and their seeds will be used
fully matured. Not all the plants in a field will be for the following year's planting.
ready for scoring at the same time and each pod can
be tapped more than once. The wet opium gum collected from the pods contains
a relatively high amount of water and needs to be
A set of three or four small blades of iron, glass, or dried for several days. High-quality raw opium will
glass splinters bound tightly together on a wooden be brown (rather than black) in color and will retain
handle is used to score two or three sides of the pod its sticky texture. Experienced opium traders can
in a vertical direction. If the blades cut too deep into quickly deteffiline if the opium has been mixed with
the wall of the pod, the opium will flow too quickly tree sap, sand or other such materials.
and will drip to tiie ground. If the incisions are too
shallow, the flow will be too slow and the opium will Raw opium in Burma, Laos and Thailand is usually
harden in the pods. A depth of about one millimeter sun-dried, weighed in a standard 1.6 kilogram quan-
is desired for the incision. Using a blade-tool de- tity (called a "viss" in Burma; a "choi" in Laos and
signed to cut to that depth, scoring ideally starts in Thailand), wrapped in banana leaf orplastic and then
late afternoon so the white latex-like raw opium can stored until ready to sell, trade, or smoke. Opium
ooze out and slowly coagulate on the surface of the smoking is common among most adult opium poppy
pod overnight If the scoring begins too early in the farmers, whereas heavy addiction is generally lim-
afternoon, the sun will cause tlle opium to coagulate ited to older, male farmers. The average yearly
over the incision and block the flow. The opium consumption of cooked opium per smoker is esti-
oxiqizes, darkens and thickens in the cool night air. mated to be 1.6 kilograms.
Early the next morning, the opium gum is scraped
from the surface ofthe pods with a short-handled flat, A typical opium poppy farmer household in South-
iron blade three to four inches wide. east 'Asia will collect 2 to 5 choi or viss (3 to 9
kilograms) of opium from a year's harvest of a one-
Opium harvesters work their way backwards across acre field. That opium will be dried, wrapped and
the field scoring lower, mature pods before the taller stacked on a shelf by February or March. If the
pods, soasnotto inadvertently spill thesticky ooze. opium has been properly dried, it can be stored
The pods will continue to secrete opium for several indefinitely. Excessive moisture and heat can cause
days. Fanners will return to these plants-- some- the opium to deteriorate but, once dried, opium is
times up to five or six times-to gather additional relatively stable. In fact, as opium dries and becomes
opium until the pod is totally depleted. The opium is less pliable, its value increases due to the decrease in
collected in a container which hangs from the farmer's water weight per kilogram.
neck or waist

10
 Standard Units oj Weight used in

:,1 jinlchin (Chinese)

Opium Trafficking in Southeast Asia

E~~h::~;~;" . lib. ~:~~~:::r ::::~:~ ~

I 500.0 gms. I 1.1023 lbs.
.. I:,:
\", kilosram Ikg. 1,000.0 gms·1 2.2046Ibs:. Ii: Opium poppy pod scored for harvesting.
::[Choi/jOi (Thai-Shall-Lao) I 1.6 kgs. " 3.528 lbs . ./;:
Nole the opium oozing from incisions.

i]=[yisS(Tamil-Burmese) I 1.657 kgs. I 3.652Ibs. I'i

I" ton IT: 907.184 kgs.' 2,OOO.0Ibs. 1:::
inmetric ton IMT I 1,000.0 kgs.' 2,204.6 lbs. H
:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;.;:;:;.;.;:;: ;:;:;:;:;:;.;:;.;:;'::;:;:;:;:;:;:;.;:;:; :;:;;;:;: .;:;:;:;.;:;:;:;';:;.;:;.;:, ;:;.;.;:;:::; ,;:;:;.;:;.;:; '; ;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;::;;:::;:;:;. i:;:;:;:;: ;:::;:;:;:.,:;:;:;';. ;.;:;:;:;. ~::.;:;; ~:

.375 kg. .454 kg. 0.50 kg. 1.0 kg. 1.6 kgs. 1.657 kgs .
pong pound jin/chin kilogram choiljoi viss
Figure 6. Units of opium weight in Southeast Asia.

Harvested pod with opium poppy seeds revealed prior to drying and storage for next year's planting.

11
 COOKING OPIUM '
Before opium is smoked, it is usually cooked.
Uncooked opium contains moisture, vegetable mat-
ter and other impurities which detract from a
smooth-smoking product. The raw opium which is
collected from the opium poppy pod is placed in an
open cooking pot of boiling water where the sticky
glob of opium alkaloids quickly dissolve. The soil,
twigs, plant scrapings, etc. remain undissolved. The
solution is strained through cheesecloth to remove
these impurities. The clear brown liquid, sometimes
called "liquid opium," is actually opium in solution.
This liquid is then re-heated over a low flame until
the water turns to steam and is driven off into the air.
When the water has evaporated. a thick paste re-
mains. This paste is called "prepared opium," "cooked
opium," or "smoking opium" and itis dried in the sun
until it has a putty-like consistency. The net weight
of the cooked opium is generally about twenty per-
cent lighter than the original raw opium. Likewise,
cooked opium is also more pure than in its original,
raw form.

Cooked opium is suitable for smoking or eating by Opium being cooked during the morphine extraction stage.
opium users. Traditionally there is only one group
of opium poppy farmers, the Hmong, who prefer to
not cook their opium before smoking. Most other
ethnic groups, including Chinese opium addicts,
prefer smoking cooked opium.

If the opium is to be sold to traders for use in

morphineorheroinlaboratories,itisnotnecessaryto
cook it first. The laboratory operators generally use Heroin (trafficking level)
55-gallon oil drums or huge cooking vats to cook the !I~(~~~;' :r:'~~;~:~;::"r .0022 oz.
raw opium before beginning the morphine extraction
process (described in the next chapter). :',1 unit I 0.700 k¥s. I 1.54 Ibs.
i'( kilogram (kg.) ,! 1,000.0 sms. I 2.2046 Jbs.
,r::~~::;:~:;:::: ::"'j~;:;;:;~:"ri~::;;';~.
:L&~l~~O,~:~ ,:":, :, ", ,J~::;:~~~s:,l, ,' ,!,~:,~~:::,:

Figure 7. Units of heroin weight in Southeast Asia.

12
 . .

EXTRACTI"ON OF MORPHINE
. FROM OPIUM

Raw or cooked opium contains more than 35 differ-

ent alkaloids, including morphine, which accounts
for approximately ten percent of the total raw opium
weight. Heroin manufacturers must first extract the
morphine from the opium, before converting the
morphine to heroin. 111e extraction is a simple
process, requiring only a few chemicals and a supply
of water. Morphine is usually extracted from opium
in small clandestine "laboratories" which are typi-
cally set up near the opium poppy fields. Since the
morphine base is about one-tenth the weight and
Prepared (CXlOked) opium prior to the morphine extraclion stage.
volume of raw opium, it is desirable to reduce the
opium to morphine before transporting the product
from the field to a heroin laboratory.

The process of extracting morphine from opium do not react with the lime to form calcium salts.
involves dissolving opium in hot water, adding lime Codeine is an opium alkaloid which is slighty
to precipitate non-morphine alkaloids and then add- water soluble and which will be carried over
ing ammonium chloride to precipitate morphine from with the calcium morphenate in the liquid. For
the solution. An empty oil drum and some cooking the most part, the other alkaloids will become
pots are needed. a part of the "sluge."

Following is a step-by-step description of morphine 4. As the solution cools, the morphine solution
extraction in a typical Southeast Asian laboratory: is scooped from the drum and poured through
a filter of some kind. Burlap rice sacks are
1. An empty 55-gallon oil drum is placed on often used as filters and can then be squeezed
bricks about a foot above the ground and a fire in a press to remove most of the solution from
is built under the drum. Thirty gallons of water the wet sacks. The solution is then poured into
are added to the drum and broughtto a boil. Ten largecookingpotsandre-heated,butnotboiled.
to fifteen kilograms of raw opium are added to
the boiling water. 5. Ammonium chloride is added to the heated
calcium morphenate solution to adjust the al-
2. With stirring, the raw opium eventually kalinity to a pH of8 to 9, and the solution is then
dissolves in the boiling water, while soil, leaves, allowed to cool. Within one or two hours, the
twigs, and other non-soluble materia1s float in morphine base and the unreacted codeine base
the solution. Most ofthese materials are scooped precipitate out of the solution and settle to the
out of the clear brown "liquid opium" solution. bottom of the cooking pot.

3. Slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or more 6. The solution is then poured off through
often a readily available chemical fertilizer cloth fllters. Any solid morphine base chunks
with a high content of lime is added to the in the solution will remain on the cloth. The
solution. The lime will r..onvert the water morphine base is reploved from both the cook-
insoluble morphine into the water soluble cal- ing pot and from the filter cloths, wrapped and
cium .llorphenate. The other opium alkaloids

13
 squeezed in cloth, and then dried in the sun.
When dry, the crude morphine base is a coffee-
colored powder.

7. This "crude" morphine base, commonly

known by the Chinese term pi-tzu in Southeast
Asia, may be further purified by its dissolution
in hydrochloric acid, adding activated char-
~::;

coal, re-heating and filtering. The solution is UME

1 kilogram of morphine
(UME F~TILIZER)
filtered several times, and the morphine (mor- P (in solution)
j~
phine hydrochloride) is then dried in the sun. r.~
t.::
(See Figure 8.) ~
AM"'ONIU~i!:HLORIDE,
HYDROCH~:QRIC ACID.
AcnVATE1r:' HARCOAL
8. Morphine hydrochloride (tainted with co-
deine hydrochloride) is usually pressed into ~
small brick-sized blocks in a press and wrapped
in paper or cloth. Themost common block size 1,1'
is 2 inches by 4 inches by 5 inches weighing
about 1.3 kilograms. The bricks are dried for 10 kilograms of opium
are added to 30 gallons oChot wal.ct
transport to heroin processing laborabories. and dissolved.
Solid impurities are scooped off.
Approximately 13 kilograms of opium, from one Lime is added to the solution.
hectare of opium poppies, are needed to produce Non·morphine alkaloids of opium
each morphine block of this size. The morphine precipitate to the bottom of the barrel.

blocks are then bundled and packed for transport to Morphine solution is scooped into
other containers.
heroin laboratories by human couriers or by pack
animals. Pack mules are able to carry lOO-kilogram
payloads over 200 miles of rugged mountain trails in
Figure 8. Morphine extraction process.
less than three weeks.

ACETIC ANHYDDRIDE,
AC nON CALCIUM HYDROXIDE,
AMMONIUM CHLORIDE,
PROCESS ALCOHOL, ETHER,
t
PURIFj~AnoN
~-.:
ACETONE

PRECIFfrAnON
~~~
\f'

Figure 9. Process of Acetylation of Morphine.

14
 ·
~ CONVERSION OF MORPH"INE ~
TO HEROIN BASE

The conversion of morphine to heroin base is a anhydride is then added. The acetic anhydride reacts
relatively simple and inexpensive procedure. The with the morphine to form diacetylmorphine (heroin).
necessary chemicals for conversion to heroin are
commonly available industrial chemicals. (See Fig- This acetylation process will work either with mor-
ure lO.) The equipment is very basic and quite phine hydrochloride or morphine base. The pot lid is
portable. Heroin conversion laboratories are gener- tied or clamped on, with a damp towel for a gasket.
ally located in isolated, rural areas due to the telltale The pot is carefully heated for about two hours,
odors of the lab's chemicals. Acetic anhydride, in below boiling, at a constant temperature of 185·
particular, is a key chemical with a very pungent odor Fahrenheit. It is never allowed to boil or to become
resembling pickles. so hot as to vent fumes into the room. It is agitated
by tilting and rotation until all of th.e morphine has
Chemicals used to isolate the morphine from the dissolved. When cooking is completed, the pot is
opium include ammonium chloride, calcium carbon- cooled and opened. During this step, morphine and
ate (limestone) and calcium hydroxide (slaked lime). the anhydride become chemically bonded, creating
The precursor chemical nOImally used in the conver- an impure form of diacetylmorphine (heroin). (See
sion of morphine to heroin is acetic anhydride. Figure 9.)
Chemical reagents used in the conversion process
include sodium carbonate and activated charcoal. Water is added at three times the volume of acetic
Chemical solvents needed are chloroform, ethyl al- anhydride and the mixture is stirred. Activated
cohol (ethanol), ethyl, ether and acetone. Other charcoal is added and mixed by stirring and the
chemicals may be substituted for these preferred mixture is then filtered to remove colored impurities.
chemicals, but most or all of these preferred chemi- Solids remaining on the filter are discarded. Sodium
cals are readily available through smugglers and carbonate at 2.5 pounds per pound of morphine is
suppliers. dissolved in hot water and added slowly to the liquid
until effervescence stops. This precipitates the
Laboratory equipment includes measuring cups, fun- heroin base which is then filtered and dried by
nels, filter paper, litmus paper and a stainless steel heating in a steam bath for an hour. For each pound
pot. Only the most sophisticated heroin labs use of morphine, about 11 ounces of crude heroin base is
glass flasks, propane gas ovens, Bunsen burners, formed.
vacuum pumps, autoclaves, electric blenders, vent-
ing hoods, centrifuges, reflux condensers, electric The heroin base may be dried, packed and trans-
drying ovens and elaborate exhaust systems. It is ported to a heroin refining laboratory or it may be
also possible to find portable, gasoline-powered purified further and/or converted to heroin hydro-
generators at clandestine heroin conversion labora- chloride, a water-soluble salt form of heroin, at the
tories used to power various electrical devices. same site.

Heroin synthesis from morphine is a two-step pro- Southeast Asian heroin base is an intermediate prod-
cess which requires twelve to fourteen hours to uct which can be further converted to either smoking
complete. Heroin base is the intermediate product. heroin ("heroin no. 3") or injectable heroin ("heroin
Typically, morphine hydrochloride bricks are pul- no. 4").
verized and the dried powder is then placed in an
enamel or stainless steel rice cook pot. Acetic

15
 Key Chemicals

raw opium
water supply
slaked lime
empty oil drum
fIrewood heroin base
anullonium chloride (litmus) paper
LI.u.o,.a'Vl
hydrochloric acid chloroform or cresol ethyl alcohol
cheesecloth flIter sodium carbonate activated charcoal
morphine press enamel pots hydrochloric acid
drying boxes, lime rock
funnels, beakers
cooking oven
fllter cloths or paper
Bunsen burner

Rgure 10. Key chemicals used in heroin processing.

Standard Units of Volume used in

Heroin Manufacturing in Southeast Asia
Liquid Chemicals
[lit~ ~1itre) 1,000.0 mls. 1.057 qts. ]
I thang* 20.0 liters 5.285 gals. J
rbarrel 136.26 liters 36.0 gals. I
IU.S. gallon (gal.) 3.785 liters 4.0qts. I
* Thai/Lao term, sometimes used informally
to mean a "barrel-full" or "tank-full"
Key liquid Chemicals,
expressed in dry weight equivalents

acetic 500.0 1,500.0 3,306.9

anhydride gallons
4.09 kilograms pounds
ether 500.0 1,364.0 3,007.1
(ethyl ether) gallons 2.728 kilograms pounds

Rgure 11. Units of liquid measurement.

16
 ••

CONVERSION OF HEROIN
BASE TO HEROIN
, HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Heroin No.3
(Smoking Heroin)
(Heroin hydrochloride)

To make heroin no. 3, the crude base is mixed with ADUL TION
hydrochloric acid resulting in heroin hydrochloride. (CAFFEINE, STRYCHNINE)
Aldulterants including caffeine are added after this
conversion. For each kilogram of crude heroin base
about one kilogram of caffeine is used. Various
"flavorings" such as quinine hydrochloride or strych~
nine hydrochloride may be added in 7 gram or 14
gram increments. Next, the wet paste mix is stirred
to dryness over the steam bath.

The resulting dry heroin no. 3 will be in the fonn of

coarse lumps. These are crushed and passed through
a no. 8 to no. 10 mesh sieve, and the grains (pieces)
are then packaged for sale.

The entire process takes about eight hours and re-

quires only minimal skill. While extra attention to
stirring is required to assure dryness, one man can
prepare a one-kilogram block of heroin no. 3 during Figure 12. Conversion Process to Southeast Asian Heroin No.3.
this time.

17
 CONVERSION OF HEROIN filtration removes the traces of so-
dium carbonate that remained in the
.
, "BASE TO HEROIN "
base. The solution is quickly cooled
Heroin No.4
in an ice bath, where it becomes
very thick like ice cream. The sub-
(Injectable Heroin)
stance is put into a pan and set in a
large refrigerator. A fan is set to
To the heroin base mixture in the pot, water is added
blow across the pan to cause slow
at three times the volume of acetic anydride and evaporation of the alcohol while the
mixed by stirring. A small amount of chloroform is
paste crystallizes. After several
added. The mixture is stirred and then allowed to
hours, it is vacuum-filtered. The
stand for twenty minutes. Doing so precipitates
filtrate, pure ethyl alcohol, is re-
highly-colored impurities and a red, greasy liqui?
used. The solid material, "alcohol
The water layer is carefully poured off and saved m
morphine base," is actually re-crys-
a clean pot, leaving the red grease in the pot.
tallized heroin base.
In a clean pot, activated charcoal is stirred into the
The heroin. product, either heroin base or re-crystal-
aqueous solution and is filtered to remove solid
lized heroin base, is weighed. For each pound of
impurities. The decolorizing effects of the charcoal,
solid product, 3,000 milliliters of ethyl alcohol, 3,000
combined with the chloroform treatment, will leave
milliliters of ether, and 102 milliliters of concen-
a light yellow solution. The use of charcoal is
trated hydrochloric acid are measured out. The solid
repeated one or more times, until the solution is
is dissolved by heating with one-third of the alcohol
colorless.
and one-half of the acid. Another one-third of the
acid is added and mixed by stirring. Next, acid is
Approximately 1.1 kilograms of sodium carbonate
added slowly, drop by drop, until the product is
per 0.5 kilograms of morphine is dissolved in hot
completely converted to the hydrochloride. Two
water and added slowly to the mixture until the
methods of testing this end product may be used.
effervescence stops. This precipitates the heroin
Either a drop of solution evaporates on a clean glass
basewhich is then filtered and dried by heating on a
plate, leaving no trace of cloudiness in the residue, or
steam bath. The heroin base is heated until dryness
a drop of the solution placed on Congo red paper
is complete, an imperative for the preparation of
causes the paper to tum blue.
heroin no.4. The powder should be very white atthis
stage. Ifnot white, the base is redissolved in diluted
Once the acid is added, the remaining alcohol is
acid, treated repeatedly with activated charcoal,
stirred in. Then, half of the ether is added with
reprecipitated and dried. The ultimate purity and
stirring and the mixture is allowed to stand for
color of the resulting heroin hydrochloride depends
fifteenminutes. Itmustbeexamined with greatcare
largely on the quality of the heroin base.
since it is extremely volatile and flammable. Once
the first small crystals are detected, the remaining
An optional step taken by skilled heroin chemists to
ether is added at once. The vessel is stirred, covered
increase the quality of the heroin follows:
and allowed to stand for twenty minutes to one hour.
Foreach pound ofheroin base, 1,100
The mixture becomes nearly solid after an hour. At
milliliters of ethyl alcohol is heated
this point, it is filtered and the solids are collected on
to boiling. The heroin base is added
clean filter paper. The paper is wrapped around the
and stirred until completely dis-
crystals and placed on wooden trays, usually ov~r
solved. The heated solution is then
lime rock, to dry. When the crystals of pure herom
quickly filtered through a Buchner
hydrochloride are dry, they are packaged. Batches of
funnel that has been preheated and
5 to 10 kilograms arc commonly made at one time,
poured into a heated flask. This hot
the largest batch being an estimated 20 kilograms.

18
-

SODIUM CARBONATE
CHLOROFORM
ACTNATED CHARCOAL
ALCOHOL
ETHER
HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Figure 13. Conversion process to Southeast Asian heroin no. 4.

Steel press used to compact heroin into blocks.

Nole the dry chemical containers in foreground.

No.4 heroin In cardboard drying box.

19
tv
o

9S'OO'E 9S'OO'E 100'OO'E 102'OO'E 104'OO'E

2S'OO'N ----~---~--------~-_+-- ) > ":.--+----------~- ~ 2S'OO'N

II
2S'OO'N i \ J-~'O_---H-~--ry_b-ultivati()~Feas-~ooN
of S'outheas1t Asia
Kunming
;,. •
~~
] ~
~
24'OO'N C, '"'.

~.~) China
i

22'OO'N ,-
JI Yunnan Province
(China)

-,
,"' .
•
Hanoi

22'OO'N

"- ~ 1
j : 1 ~ 1
 .~
(Vietnam)
t ~.
... .1 • " 4:~ ,
0"
\, I
I!-

20·00'N (" il .~ ~-~-20·00'N

~
~.'
.:J j

---~

•
Viangchan (Vientiane)
1a·OO'N \ I " 7' JOJ'"

Op}um Poppy Cultivation

primary cultivation

secondary cultivation

O no significant cultivation
(unshaded areas)

1S·00'N ~ - '" 1S·00'N

MILES
o

o
- -
20 40 GO 80 100

so 100 160
KILOMETERS

",rOO'E 100·00'E
I
102·00'E 104·00'E

•
Bangkok

-
tv
 , . ,

,'. CONCLUSION .
' . ' .

Southeast Asia, especially the Golden Triangle area, is ideally suited for the propagation and synthesis of the
opium poppy- geograpically, topologically and culturally.

Although the opium poppy plant will grow remarkably well with little tending, farmers in recent years have
introduced the use of fertilizers that have produced bumper crop yields. In addition, the chemicals used in the
synthesis of heroin are inexpensive and readily available. At the same, the time laboratory equipment needed
to synthesize heroin is very basic and easily obtainable.

These factors, coupled with powerful financial incentives and an absence of cultural prohibitions, clearly
suggest that opium poppy cultivation and heroin synthesis in Southeast Asia show no signs of abatement. •

Figure 15. Double U-O Globe trademark of Southeast Asian heroin.

22
acetic acid, glacial

Also known as ethanoic acid orvinegar acid. Glacial as a solvent include manufacture of rayon, photo-
acetic acid is the pure compound, as distinguished graphic films, paint and varnish removers. Shippedin
from the usual water solutions known as acetic acid. cans, steel drums, barrels, and tank cars. Can be used
A clear, colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Mis- as a solvent in processing opium and in the purifica-
cible with water, alcohol, glycerin, and ether. tion of morphine base, but is not commonly used in
Highly-concentrated, produces bums on the skin. Southeast Asia.
Chronic exposure may cause erosion ofdental enamel,
bronchitis, eye irritation. Excellentsolventformany
organic compounds. Widely used in commercial acetyl chloride
organic synthesis. Normally contained in5-lb bottles
(corrosive liquid). Can be used in place of ammo- Also known as ethanoyl chloride. A flammable,
nium chloride or ammonia solutions as a reagent to fuming, colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Soluble
adjust alkalinity in the precipitation of morphine (as in ether,. acetone, acetic acid. Highly toxic and
crude morphine base) from an opium solution. corrosive. Extremely irritating to the eyes. Danger-
ous fire risk. Reacts violently with water and alcohol.
Used as an acetylating agent; in testing for choles-
acetic anhydride terol, determination of water in organic liquids.
Shipped in polyurethane-lined iron drums and 110-
Also known as acetic oxide; acetyl oxide. A color- Ib glass carboys in cool, dry area with adequate
less liquid with a strong, pickle-like odor. Fumes in ventilation. Protect from moisture. Controlled or
moist air, and its vapor is extremely irritating to eyes, regulated in Hong Kong and Thailand. Can be used
nose, and throat. Not readily miscible with water, in place of acetic anhydride as an acetylating agent in
forming a separate layer on the bottom, but will the acetylation of morphine, although it is more
eventually form acetic acid. Soluble in chloroform hazardous to use.
or ether. Readily combustible (fire hazard). Nor-
mally contained in various sizes of glass or plastic
bottles, 5-gallon glass carboys, and 55-gallon metal acetylation
drums lined with stainless steel or polyethylene.
Used in the textile, leather tanning, pharmaceutical The key chemical process in converting morphine
(particularly aspirin), and photography industries. base to heroin. Can be accomplished using either
Under strict government regulation in some coun- acetyl chloride or acetic anhydride. Acetyl chloride
tries. Manufactured in United States, WestemEurope, is flammable, irritating to the eyes, reacts violently
and Japan. Acetic anhydride is also the most com- with water or alcohol, and requires careful handling
monly used acetylating agent in the acetylation of in laboratory processes. For these reasons, acetyla-
morphine. A key precursor chemical and reagent in tion using acetyl chloride is not favored by processors
heroin synthesis. of heroin. Although acetic anhydride is corrosive
and requires care in handling, it is less hazardous to
the user than acetyl chloride and hence is the key
acetone chemical used in processing of heroin.

Also known as 2-propanone or dimethyl ketone;

pyroacetic ether. A volatile, highly flammable liq- adulterant
uid with a mildly pungent and somewhat aromatic
odor. Acetone vapor is irritating to the eyes and nose Substance added to heroin after the heroin conver-
in high concentrations. Miscible with water, alco- sion process is completed. Adulterants are
hol, chloroform, ether, etc. Must be stored in dosed pharmocologicallyactive. Quinine and procaine are
containers and kept away from fire. Industrial uses typical adulterants added to heroin.

23
alcohol (ethyl alcohol) acute toxic properties make it a poor choice for this
process.
An anhydrous alcohol, also known as ethanol, grain
alcohol, fermentation alcohol, "drinking alcohol,"
anhydrous alcohol, ethyl hydroxide, and methyl carbi- brown sugar heroin
nol. A clear, colorless, volatile, flammable liquid
with a pleasant, sweet odor. Absorbs water rapidly A common name for heroin (any source) which has
from air. Miscible with water. Must be stored in the appearance of light brown, granulated sugar.
tightly closed container, cool, and away from flame. Used in contrast with the white, fluffy powder or
Most ethyl alcohol is used in alcoholic beverages in crystals form of heroin, such as Southeast Asian
suitable dilutions. Shipped in metal or plastic con- "China White" heroin. Injected, snorted, or smoked.
tainers, such as 55-gallon drums, gerry cans, etc.
Some drums may be lined with phenolic resin. Used
as a solvent during purification of heroin base and in caffeine
conversion of heroin base to heroin hydrochloride.
White, fleecy masses oflong, flexible, silky crystals.
A bitter, white alkalc'id found in coffee, tea, and cola
alkaloid nuts. Caffeine is generally used in combined forms,
as a monohydrate, a.cetate, or other compounds. In
Any of various physiologically active, nitrogen- addition to its use as a stimulant and diuretic, crystal-
containing organic bases derived from plants. line caffeine is commonly used as an adulterant in
Common alkaloids include atropine, caffeine, co- heroin hydrochlOIide, or as a necessary ingredient in
caine, codeine, mescaline, morphine, narcotine, "smoking heroin" (e.g., Southeast Asian heroin no. 3).
nicotine, noscapine, papaverine, quinine, strychnine,
and thebaine.
calcium hydroxide

ammonium chloride See "lime, slaked."

Also known as ammonium muriate, sal ammoniac,

salmiac. Colorless, odorless crystals or crystalline carbon, activated
chunks; may also be a white, granular powder. Ten-
dency to cake. Soluble in ethanol; near-insoluble in See "charcoal, activated."
acetone or ether. Cooling, saline taste. Major
industrial uses are in manufacture of dry cell batter-
ies; dyes; fertilizers; washing powders; etc. Medical chandu
use as an expectorant. Normally packaged in barrels
or multiwall paper or polyethylene sacks. Ammo- A Hindi-Bengali term for cooked opium ("smoking
nium chloride can be used as a reagent to adjust opium"). Term used in India and some parts of
alkalinity in the precipitation of morphine (as crude Burma. Tem1 is used in some reports on Southeast
morphine base) from an opium solution. Asian opium.

benzene charcoal, activated

Also known as benzo1. A colorless to light-yellow A fine black carbonaceous powder prepared com-
liquid with an aromatic odor. Its vapors burn with a mercially from wood and vegetables. Also known as
smoky flame. Highly flammable; dangerous fire "activated carbon" or "animal black." Highly ad-
risk. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorp- sorptive. Used in medicine as an antidote and in ,-
tion. A carcinogen. Commonly used in petroleum treatment of diarrhea. Used in laboratories for clari-
industry for use in anti-knock gasoline. Shipped in fying, deodorizing, decolorizing, and filteringvarlous
drums, t(l!lks, and on barges with adequate ventila- chemicals. Marketed under trade names as Norit,
tion. Can be used to initially extract morphine Carboraffin, Ultracarbon, Opocarbyl, etc. Used as a
alkaloid from opium, but its high flammability and reagent in the purification of heroin.

24
China White "diluents" refer to extenders. Typical diluents for
heroin are mannitol, sucrose, lactose, and starch.
Southeast Asian heroin no. 4, in white powderfonn.
Tenn is used by English-speaking westerners to
contrast the white powder fonn with the light brown, ether (ethyl ether)
granular fonn of heroin (see "brown sugar heroin,"
above). May be injected, snorted, or smoked. The Also known as diethyl ether; ethyl oxide; diethyl
tenn "China White" has also been used in recent oxide; sulfuric ether, anesthetic ether; or simply
years as an alternate name for fentanyl, a syntheti- "ether." A colorless, mobile, very volatile and
cally-produced compound with heroin-like highly flammable liquid. Characteristic, sweetish,
properties. pungent odor, more agreeable than chlorofonn. Ether
vapors are heavier than air; tends to fonn explosi ve
peroxides under the influence of air and light. When
chloroform shaken under absolutely dry conditions, ether can
generate enough static electricity to start a fire.
Also known as trichloromethane. A clear, colorless, Shipped in cans, drums, barrels, and tank. cars. Not
miscible with water, forming a separate layer on the
heavy, and very volatile liquid with a characteristic surface. In addition to its well-known use as an
sweet odor. It is an irritant to the skin and eyes and anesthetic, ether is used as a solvent in fats, waxes,
may also be carcinogenic. Not miscible with water, dyes, perfumes, oils, resins, etc. Ether is also used as
fonning a separate layer on the bottom. Miscible a solvent in conversion of heroin base to heroin
with alcohol. Shipped in bottles, tins, or drums; hydrochloride.
stainless steel forvery high-purity products. Used in
industry as a solvent for fats, oils, rubber, alkaloids,
waxes, and resins. Used extensively as a solvent in ethyl alcohol
the rubber industry; used to make the refrigerant
Fluorocarbon-22. Can be used as a solvent in the See ualcohol."
synthesis of heroin.
ethyl ether
choi See "ether."

A standard unit of weight used in Southeast Asia for

opium (only). Equivalent to 1.60 kilograms (3.528 Golden Triangle
pounds). See Figure 7.
Area of mainland Southeast Asia comprising the
Shan Plateau and Kachin Hills ofnortheastern Bunna,
conversion (heroin conversion) the highlands of northwestern Laos, and the high-
lands of northern Thailand. Tenn was popularized
A chemical conversion process wherein heroin base by Westemjournalists in the 1970s to designate one
is converted into a soluble salt fonn of heroin, of the principal source areas in the world for illicit
generally heroin hydrochloride. opium and its derivatives, mOIphine and heroin.

diluent gram
A chemical diluent is an ingredient used to reduce
the concentration of an active material. Another A standard unit of weight in the metric system equal
common definition of diluent is a substance added to to one-thousandth of a kilogram. 28.350 grams
finished product (e.g., heroin) to increase bulk. In equal one ounce.
this sense, there is no clear distinction between a
diluent and an extender. In heroin manufacture,

25
hai Southeast Asian heroin no. 4

Northern Thai-Shan term used with land areas. See An injectable form of Southeast Asian heroin.
"rai" and "lai" (Lao). Also known as heroin hydrochloride or "China
White." Highly refined heroin produced from
Southeast Asian opium. Usually a fine white
hectare powder, flakes, or crystals. May be smoked or
snorted, although, from the standpoint of the
A metric unit of area equal to 2.471 acres (10,000 abuser, these are expensive and wasteful uses of
square meters). See Figure 4. this form of heroin. Diluents, such as lactose, are
not normally added until the heroin is diluted, or
"cut."
heroin

Also known as diacetylmorphine. A highly-addic- highlander (Southeast Asia)

tive synthetic narcotic derived from morphine.
A hill dweller. Hill tribesmen are a typical example
heroin base (Southeast Asia) of highlanders in Southeast Asia. However, some
hill tribesmen have migrated into the lowlands, and
Diacetylmorphine. Also known as "crude are now permanent dwellers in lowland communi-
heroin." Actually, is morphine base that has ties. Conversely, some members of ethnic groups
undergone acetylation. Formed as a precipitate which are generally lowland dwellers have perma-
(solid) by adding soda ash (sodium carbonate) to nently settled in highland areas in m_.•lland Southeast
an acetylated morphine solution. Sometimes Asia.
called Southeast Asian heroin no. 2. Not readily
soluble in water, and therefore not injectable in
this form. This form of heroin can be smoked. hill tribe (Southeast Asia)
However, heroin base is generally considered an
intermediate form of heroin which may be fur- Anyone of numerous ethnic groups which share a
ther refmed to either no. 3 or no. 4 heroin. distinct culture, language, and social structure and
who are regarded, as a group, to be hill dwellers or
heroin hydrochloride montagnards (French). The Hmong (Miao), the Iu
Mien (Yao), Lahu (Musoe), inter alia, are hill tribe
A chemical salt form of heroin, usually powder groups in mai.J.and Southeast Asia.
or crystal, that is water soluble and therefore
suitable for injection. Sometimes called South-
east Asian heroin no. 4. Formed when heroin hydrochloric acid
base is treated with hydrochloric acid. This type
of heroin is most commonly used by heroin A solution of hydrogen chloride gas (HCI) in water.
abusers who inject the drug. Also known as muriatic acid. Fumes in the air. A
colorless liquid (sometimes yellow) with an acrid
Southeast Asian heroin no. 3 odor. Acid is poisonous and corrosive. Shipped in
glass bottles or glass carboys, or rubber-lined steel
A smokeabl~ fonn of Southeast Asian heroin. drums. Used in petroleum production, as a chemical
Not as highly refined asno. 4. Colorrangesfrom intermediate, and in ore reduction, food processing,
purple to tan to off-white. Although considered pickling, and metal cleaning. Hydrochloric acid is
a smoking heroin, it may also be injected intra- used to convert morphine base to morphine hydro-
venously. Caffeine is a necessary component of chloride (e.g., '999' morphine blocks or bricks) orto
heroin no. 3. In contrast, strychnine or quinine convert heroin base to heroin hydrochloride.
are adulterants which are sometimes added to
heroin no. 3, allegedly to modify the taste of the
product.

26
jin liter

A metric unit of weight in Chinese system. Equiva- A metric unit of volume. Equivalent to 1.056liquid
lent to one-halfkilogram (500 grams). Chinese term, quarts. See Figure 11.
romanized: jin (Pinyin) or chin (Wade-Giles Man-
lowlander (Southeast Asia)
darin). See Figure 7.
A lowland dweller, in either a rural or urban commu-
joi nity. The ethnic Lao are a typical example of
lowlanders in Southeast Asia. However, some Lao
Standard unit of weight for opium. See "choi." have migrated into the highlands and are now
permanent dwellers in highland communities. Con-
versely, some members of ethnic groups which are
kilogram generally highland dwellers (e.g., the Hmong hill
tribe) have permanently moved into lowland areas in
A metric unit of weight equal to 1,000 grams, or Laos and Thailand.
2.2046 pounds.

mannitol
lactose
Also known as mannite, manna sugar. A white,
Also known as milk sugar, saccharum lactis. Present crystalline, sweetish, water-soluble carbohydrate
in milk in mammals. White, hard crystalline mass or alcohol. Used as a nutrient, a dietary supplement,
white powder; sweet taste, odorless. Stable in air. and as the basis of dietetic sweets. Mannitol is
Soluble in water; insoluble in ether and chloroform; commonly used as a mild laxative for infant'). Shipped
very slightly soluble in alcohol. Used commercially in multi wall paper sacks or bulk. Commonly used as
in infant foods, baking and confectionery, margarine a diluent (or "extender") by heroin dealers to in-
and butter manufacture, etc. Shipped in multiwall crease bulk of "injectable heroin" (e.g., Southeast
paper sacks or bulk. Commonly used as a diluent (or Asian heroin no. 4).
"extender") by heroin dealers to increase bulk of
"injectable heroin" (e.g., Southeast Asian heroin no. 4).
morphine

lai An organic compound (alkaloid) found in the Papaver

somniferum (opium poppy). Morphine must first be
A standard unit of land area measurement in Laos extracted from opium. The soluble salts of morphine
equivalent to 1,600 square meters. Corresponds to (morphine carbonate, morphine sulfate, morphine
rai measurement used in Thailand (see below). See hydroch1oride, etc.) are used in human and veteri-
Figure 4. nary medicine as a light anesthetic or as a sedative.

morphine base
h,lle, slaked
Morphine base is an intermediate product be-
Also kpown ac; calcium hydroxide, calcium hydrate, tween morphine alkaloid in opium and a
caustic lime, hydrated lime. Crystals or soft, odor- morphine brick (morphine hydrochloride). The
less, granules or powder, with a slightly bitter taste. base is formed as a precipitate (solid) when
Slightly soluble in water. Readily absorbs C02 from ammonium chloride is added to a solution of
air, forming CaC03. Used in industry to manufac- calcium morphenate. This base is usually quite
ture cement, pesticides, fertilizers, and in water crude (50% to 70% pure) because of the mar-
treatment. Normally packaged in tightly closed and ginal conditions under which it is prepared.
dry containers, such as wooden barrels or multiwall Morphine base is not easily soluble in water, and
paper sacks. Used as a reagent in the extraction of thus is not readily absorbed by the human body.
morphine from opium by forming an intermediate Morphine base must therefore be converted to a
calcium salt (calcium morphenate).

27
 (water-soluble) salt fOIm. viz.• morphine hydro- illegally in Afghanistan. Burma. Colombia. Guate-
chloride or heroin hydrochloride. by treating mala. Iran. Laos, Lebanon. Mexico, Pakistan and
with hydrochloric acid. Thailand.

morphine brick liquid opium

Morphine hydrochloride. compressed (by a Also known as "opium solution." Refers to

morphine press) into a standard-sized brick shape opium which has been dissolved in water. either
measuring approximately 2 inches by 4 inches to prepare the opium for smoking. i.e .• "cook-
by 5 inches and weighing approximately 1.3 ing" the opium. or as the first step in extracting
kilograms (about 3 pounds). Also known as a morphine from the opium. Liquid opium is
morphine block. Properly compressed mor- usually a clear, brown liquid.
phine hydrochloride is very dry and hard.
prepared opium
morphine press
Also known as "cooked opium." "processed
A metal or wood piece of equipment which can opium." and "smoking opium." Raw opium is
squeeze water from morphine hydrochloride. dissolved in hot water in order to remove impu-
leaving the morphine dry and in unifoIm. brick- rities and vegetable matter. It is heated to reduce
sized blocks. its water content. As the solution cools, the
opium reverts to a solid. Most opium smokers
morphine salt prefer to smoke prepared opium. By contrast.
morphine and heroin laboratory operators can
A water-soluble chemical fonn of morphine. In process both cooked and raw opium.
extracting morphine from opium, slaked lime
(calcium hydroxide) powder is added to opium raw opium
dissolved in water. Lime reacts with morphine
in opium (morphine content ranges from 9% to Also known as "opium gum." "crude opium."
16% by weight of the opium) to form calcium and "opium sap." Opium which has not been
morphenate in solution. Calcium morphenate is "cooked." Often contains plant scraping. leaf
a chemical salt form of morphine. Other mor- pieces. and otherimpurities. Initially. is soft and
phine salts include morphine sulfate. morphine pliable due to high moisture content. but may be
hydrochloride. and morphine acetate - all le- dried to a hard consistency. Has strong odor.
gitimate compounds used in medicine. Does not keep as well as prepared opium. Weighs
more than prepared opium (contains more wa-
ter). It is smoked or eaten by addicts.
nuai
A general. non-specific term in Thai-Lao-Shan which pitzu
means "unit." However. has special meaning when
used in reference to heroin. A nuai is a standard unit A Chinese term used to refer to impure, or "crude,"
of weight for Southeast Asian heroin. equivalent to morphine base. Romanized spellings include pizi
700 grams (.7 kilogram). (pinyin) and p' i-tzu (Wade-Giles Mandarin).

opium pong
A bitter. yellowish-brown, strongly-addictive natu-
rally-occurring narcotic derived from the dried latex A standard unit of weight used in Southeast Asia for
juice of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. opium only. Equivalent to 0.375 kilogram (13.23
Source of morphine and heroin. Opium poppy is ounces). Thai-Shan-Lao term. See Figure 7.
cultivated legally in India. Turkey. China. Common-
wealth of Independent States (formerly the Soviet
Union). and Tasmania. Australia; and is cultivated

28
poppy (opium poppy) precipitation processes, and the process of chemi-
cally converting heroin base to a soluble salt fonn of
An annual plant, Papaver somniferum, originally of heroin, generally heroin hydrochloride. Heroin pro-
Asia Minor, having grayish-green leaves and vari- cessing can also include the extraction of morphine
ously colored flowers. The sole source of opium. from opium, and may include other operations, such
as fIltering, drying, pressing, and packaging the
finished heroin product.
poppy pod

Sometimes called the "seedpod," "capsule," purification (chemical purification)

"bulb," or "head." Refers to the egg-sized fruit
which enlarges as the flower petals fall from the The removal of extraneous materials (impurities)
plant. The poppy pod is the mature ovary of the from a substance or a mixture by one or more
opium poppy plant. The ovarian wall produces separation techniques. Such techniques include crys-
the white latex (opium). talHzation, precipitation, distillation, adsorption,
extraction, etc. For example, heroin base is usually
treated with decolorizing charcoal (a purification
scoring of poppy pod process) after it is acetylated from morphine base.
Cutting into the surface of an opium poppy pod,
using a sharp bladed instrument, in order to
allow the opium to exude from the pod. Also
rai
known as "lancing," "incising," or "tapping." A standard unit of land area measurement in Thai-
land equivalent to 1,600 square meters. Corresponds
scraping of poppy pod
to lai measurement used in Laos (see above). Rai is
also a general tenn in Thai-Lao-Shan for cultivated
Using flat-bladed instrument to collect gummy land (except irrigated ricefields). Called hai in
opium from pod surface. northern and northeastern Thailand. Called hai in
Laos only when used to referto cultivated fields. See
weeding & thinning of poppies
Figure 4.
Removing weeds, grasses, and some poppy plants
in order to provide more growing space for
reagent (chemical reagent)
remaining poppies.
A reagent is a chemical which reacts with a precursor
precipitation (chemical precipitation) to fonn a new compound. For example, acetic
anhydride is a reagent used in the manufacture of
The separation of a solid from a solution. The heroin.
resulting solid is called the precipitate.
slash-and-burn agriculture
pn'Cursor
Also known as "swidden" agriculture. Agricultural
method of clearing farmland. Involves cutting down
A precursor is a chemical that is the raw material for
a new product. Morphine is a precursor in the all the trees and underbrush on a wooded hillside
and, when it is thoroughly dried, burning it off in
production of heroin. preparation for planting. This type of shifting culti-
vation is widely used by highland tribal groups in
processing (heroin processing) Southeast Asia.

A general tenn which refers to the overall process of

manufacturing heroin. Includes the acetylation pro-
cess, a number of interemediate purification and

29
soda ash lua

Crude, anhydrous sodium carbonate. Also known as See "nuai."

Solvay soda; washing soda; soda. A white or trans-
parent, odorless, crystalline powder with a salty,
bitter taste. Shipped in 25-1b, 50-lb, and l()()"lb bags; unit
275-lb and 400-lb drums, or bulk. An industrial
chemical used in manufacturing sodium bicarbon- Special meaning when used in reference to heroin. A
ate, sodium nitrate, glass; ceramics; water softening "unit" is a standard unit of weight for Southeast
agents; detergents; and soaps. An alkaline material Asian heroin. Called nuai in Thai and Lao; chien in
commonly used in the production of heroin base. Chinese. Equivalent to 700 grams (.7 kilogram).
Derivation of use not known.
solvent (chemical solvent)
viss
A solvent does not react chemically with a precursor
chemical or reagent and does not become part of the
finished product. Solvents are used to dissolve solid A standard unit of weight used in southern India and
precursors or reagents, to dilute reaction mixtures, Burma. Equivalent to 1.657 kilograms (3.652
and to separate and purify other chemicals. pounds). Commonly used when weighing meat,
flour, rice, and other such bulk items. In Burma, the
viss is also used in the opium trade. Burmese term:
strychnine beittha. (The term viss is not used in Thailand, Laos,
or China.) Derived from Tamil term, visai. Also
Strychnine, orits salts, has been used as an adulterant spelled vise (Telugu) and vis. Often rounded to 3.6
in the illicit manufacture of "smoking heroin" (e.g., pounds in modem usage. See Figure 7.
South.east Asian heroin no. 3). Strychnine salts most
commonly used are the nitrate or sulfate.

swidden agriculture

An agricultural method. See "slash-and-burn" agri-

culture.

30
 DisTRIBUTION

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Forces
U.S. Marshals Service

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Internal Revenue Service
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Department of Defense
Defense Intelligence Agency
National Security Agency

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Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
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31