dept of justice

JULY 2002

Product No. 2002-L0490-002

INFORMATION BRIEFUUUUU ..... SSSSS ..... D E P D E P D E P D E P D E P A R T M E N T O F J U S T I C EA R T M E N T O F J U S T I C EA R T M E N T O F J U S T I C EA R T M E N T O F J U S T I C EA R T M E N T O F J U S T I C E

Overview

Iodine crystals, which are used legally for avariety of commercial and medical purposes,frequently are used illegally to produce high qualityd-methamphetamine. The following ephedrine/pseudoephedrine reduction method utilizes iodinein the production process.

• Iodine/red phosphorus. The principalchemicals are ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, iodine,and red phosphorus. The required hydriodic acid inthis variation of the hydriodic acid/red phosphorusmethod is produced by the reaction of iodine inwater with red phosphorus. This method yields highquality d-methamphetamine. Another iodine/redphosphorus method, limited to small productionbatches, is called the cold cook method because thechemicals, instead of being heated, are placed in ahot environment such as in direct sunlight.

The federal government regulates the sale ofiodine crystals, which are readily available forlegitimate use. However, it is illegal to import,export, purchase, or sell iodine crystals in the UnitedStates if they are used or intended to be used in theproduction of methamphetamine. Methamphetamineproducers typically acquire iodine crystals throughtheft or diversion, from Mexican criminal groups

in Methamphetamine Production

that smuggle iodine into the United States acrossthe U.S.–Mexico border, or by purchasing andcrystallizing iodine tincture, the sale of which isnot regulated in most U.S. states.

Iodine Used inMethamphetamineProduction

Methamphetamine producers use iodinecrystals to produce hydriodic acid, the preferredreagent in the ephedrine/pseudoephedrine reductionmethod of d-methamphetamine production. Areagent is a chemical used in reactions to convert aprecursor into a finished product. The reagent doesnot become part of the finished product. The regula-tion of hydriodic acid by the Drug EnforcementAdministration (DEA) in 1993 rendered the chemi-cal virtually unavailable in the United States.

Hydriodic acid can be produced by combiningiodine crystals with water and some form of phos-phorus, including red phosphorus, hypophosphorousacid, or phosphorous acid. In the methamphetamineproduction process, iodine crystals may be used toprepare hydriodic acid in a separate step or may beintroduced directly into the synthesis of themethamphetamine.

NDIC

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Iodine in Methamphetamine Production

Iodine Production andAvailability

Iodine—called yodo in Spanish and black inslang terms—is a naturally occurring element that iscommercially available as crystals or as a tincture.Iodine crystals usually are available as bluish-black orviolet crystals that have a metallic luster. In its gaseousstate iodine is violet in color. Typically, iodine emits asharp, distinct odor. Iodine tincture—a solution ofiodine in alcohol—is widely available.

Iodine TinctureSmall-scale methamphetamine producers who areunable to obtain iodine crystals occasionallyproduce them from iodine tincture by mixing iodinetincture with hydrogen peroxide. This is a time-consuming process that yields a very smallamount of iodine crystals in relation to the amountof tincture and hydrogen peroxide used.

Iodine tincture for human antiseptic use on woundsand scrapes usually is sold in small quantities,typically in 1-ounce bottles containing 2 percentiodine. These small bottles are sold for $1 to $2.“Strong” iodine tincture (7% concentration) forveterinary use is sold in various sizes from 16-ounce bottles to 50-gallon drums. A 16-ouncebottle of strong iodine is sold for $4 to $6. Theprimary ingredients in iodine tincture are ethylalcohol and water.

Iodine tincture is not regulated by law and is sold inretail stores, pharmacies, and farm supply stores. Itcan be obtained easily via the Internet from horseand farm supply sites and online pharmacies.

Iodine crystals are widely available and have thefollowing legitimate uses:

• As a derivative used to make chemicals andpolymers, sanitation and cleaning compounds,pharmaceuticals, nylon fibers, dyes and ink,and photographic film

• As a developer to help crime sceneinvestigators discover latent fingerprints onpaper surfaces

• As a nutritional supplement in table salt• As a common ingredient in dietary supplements

for livestock• As an element in the production of electric

light bulbs• As a water purification and swimming pool

sanitization chemical• As a topical antiseptic for humans, horses,

and cattle after the crystals are made intoiodine tincture

Iodine crystals may be purchased from avariety of businesses. Crystals typically are avail-able for sale at chemical supply stores, feed andtack stores, and veterinary clinics and suppliers.Iodine also is widely available on the Internet. Oneonline pharmacy, for example, sells iodine crystalsin ounce quantities for approximately $14. Onepound of iodine crystals retails for approximately$160. A rancher with a large farm typically may useup to 2 ounces to treat a herd in 1 year. A metham-phetamine producer, on the other hand, may use 2 to4 pounds to produce 1 pound of methamphetamine.

Companies in several countries throughout theworld produce and sell iodine crystals commer-cially. Chilean companies were the world’s largestproducers of iodine in 2000, followed by Japaneseand U.S. companies. Overall, worldwide iodineproduction increased from 13,726 tons in 1994 to18,993 tons in 2000. Iodine crystal producers sellthe chemical to companies that either use iodine inmanufacturing processes or sell it wholesale.


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National Drug Intelligence Center

Legislation and Control

The Comprehensive Methamphetamine ControlAct of 1996 identifies iodine as a List II chemical.DEA mandates that detailed records be kept for salesof iodine crystals that exceed the threshold of 0.4kilogram established in 2000. Anyone who sells a totalof 0.4 kilogram (13.98 ounces) of iodine crystals to anindividual, corporation, business, or other legal entityin a 30-day reporting period must obtain data identify-ing the purchaser, keep records of the transactions for2 years, and report any suspicious transactions toDEA. This rule does not apply to iodine tinctures orother iodine mixtures.

The possession, distribution, and use of listedchemicals, including iodine, are subject to thefollowing prohibitions: 21 U.S.C. § 841(c)(1)–(3)prohibits any person from knowingly or intention-ally possessing or distributing a listed chemicalwith the intent, knowledge, or belief that thechemical will be used to manufacture a controlledsubstance. It also prohibits a person from know-ingly or intentionally evading establishedrecordkeeping or reporting requirements.

Feed Store Owner ConvictedOn May 15, 2002, a federal jury convicted a feedstore owner in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, on 12 criminalcharges for selling iodine crystals to methamphet-amine producers. The charges included conspiracyto distribute listed chemicals, possession anddistribution of listed chemicals, conspiracy tocommit money laundering, and money laundering.From January 1998 through September 2000, thestore owner purchased nearly 5,000 pounds ofiodine crystals at a cost of $8 per ounce and soldthe crystals for $50 per ounce to individuals fromArkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.During the trial witnesses testified that the storeowner knew the crystals were to be used to manu-facture methamphetamine.

Source: U.S. Attorney Eastern District of Oklahoma; Associated Press.

Further, 21 U.S.C. § 843(a)(7) prohibits anyperson from knowingly or intentionally manufactur-ing, distributing, exporting, or importing any equip-ment, chemical product, or material that may beused to manufacture a controlled substance or listedchemical. The maximum penalties for each viola-tion of 21 U.S.C. § 841(c)(1)–(3) or 21 U.S.C. §843(a)(7) are 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000fine, or both. Penalties are doubled for second orsubsequent convictions.

In California iodine sales and purchases aresubject to even more stringent regulation. Section11107.1 of the California Health and Safety Coderequires recordkeeping of all iodine crystal salesregardless of the amount, and sales are limited to 8ounces of iodine in a 30-day period to any individual.The seller must retain the original bill of sale for 3years and maintain a record of sale that includes thepurchaser’s name, address, driver’s license number orother state-issued identification number, license platenumber, and a description of how the purchaser willuse the iodine. Both the purchaser and seller must signthe record. The purchaser must also maintain a recordfor 3 years that includes the place and date of pur-chase, a description of the purchase, the quantitypurchased, and the cost of the purchase. The recordsmaintained by both the seller and purchaser must bemade available to law enforcement upon request. Thesale of iodine tincture in the amount of $100 or less isexempt from these requirements.

Theft, Diversion, andSmuggling

Law enforcement reporting indicates that thetheft and diversion of iodine crystals occur mostfrequently in the western half of the United States,particularly in states where methamphetamineproduction and abuse are prevalent. Law enforce-ment officials in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Oregon have reportednumerous incidents of iodine theft and diversion.Most of these incidents occurred at businesses thatappear to be legitimate. Feed and tack stores, also


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MSM As Cutting AgentMSM is commonly used as a nutritional supplementfor horses and humans. Methamphetamine producedin Mexico and southwestern states commonly is cutwith MSM—a white powder with a low melting point(109°C). It is highly soluble and readily mixes withmost substances without leaving a residue, making ita suitable cutting agent for methamphetamine.

Individuals attempting to divert iodine toproduce methamphetamine may exhibit one or moreof the following suspicious behaviors:

• Customer does not have a legitimate reason topurchase iodine or cannot justify the quantityrequested.

• Customer purchases iodine crystals for animaluse but has little knowledge of horses, cattle,or other livestock.

• Customer resists providing personalinformation.

• Customer repeatedly purchases the maximumamount permitted by law at the shortest intervalpermitted.

• Customer simultaneously purchases iodine andother products that are used to produce metham-phetamine such as acetone, alcohol, camp stovefuel, ether, drain cleaner, muriatic acid, rocksalt, road flares, unusual quantities of matches,or the cutting agent MSM.

• Customer purchases over 4 fluid ounces ofiodine tincture and purchases hydrogenperoxide at the same time.

Methamphetamine producers also obtainiodine crystals from Mexican criminal groups that

smuggle the crystals from Mexico into the UnitedStates. U.S. Customs Service (USCS) seizures ofiodine at ports of entry (POEs) along the U.S.–Mexico border increased from approximately 780kilograms in 2000 to approximately 2,140 kilogramsin 2001. Most seizures occurred in Southern Califor-nia at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa POEs. Seizuresalso were made at POEs in Arizona and Texas.

Hazards AssociatedWith Iodine

Iodine is a potentially dangerous chemical thatcan cause serious injury if handled improperly. Thisposes particular concerns for law enforcementofficers or civilians who encounter iodine atmethamphetamine production sites. If iodine comesin contact with the skin it can result in painfulirritation and chemical burns. Contact with the eyescan cause redness, burns, and permanent damage.Inhalation of iodine gas can lead to respiratoryproblems or even death. Iodine has sufficient vaporpressure to allow toxic levels of iodine gas to build upin a closed container. Law enforcement officials shouldopen containers of iodine in a well-ventilated areawhile wearing appropriate respiratory protection.Irritation can occur before the odor is detected.

Law enforcement officers who come into contactwith iodine crystals should exercise extreme cautionwhen handling, storing, or transporting the chemical.Boots, gloves, eye protection, and respiratory gearshould be worn when exposure to iodine is likely.Although iodine alone is not flammable, it is a strongoxidizer that can ignite or cause explosions whenmixed with other combustibles or reducing agents suchas alkali metals, ammonia, and phosphorus. Iodineshould be stored in a tightly sealed container in a cool,dry area away from direct sunlight, drastic temperaturechanges, and chemical substances that react violentlywhen mixed with iodine.

primary sources for the cutting agent MSM(methylsulfonylmethane), are particular targets.


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Outlook

The use of iodine in methamphetamine produc-tion is likely to increase. Iodine is readily available, andits chemical properties allow it to be converted easilyinto hydriodic acid, the preferred reagent in the illicitproduction of d-methamphetamine. Federal and statechemical control laws, which include reporting rules,maximum purchase thresholds, and sentencing guide-lines, are effective tools that law enforcement officialsmay use to counter this threat. As states continue todevelop more stringent regulations regarding the saleand purchase of iodine crystals, methamphetamineproducers increasingly will attempt to obtain iodinecrystals through theft, diversion, or from Mexicancriminal groups that smuggle iodine across theSouthwest Border into the United States. Producersmay also acquire larger quantities of iodine tinctureand convert it to crystals.


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Sources

Arizona Attorney General’s Office

Associated Press

California Health and Safety Code

Executive Office of the PresidentOffice of National Drug Control Policy

High Intensity Drug Trafficking AreasNational Methamphetamine Chemical Initiative

Journal of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association

Mallinckrodt Baker Inc., www.jtbaker.com

Roskill Report on Metals and Minerals, www.roskill.co.uk

U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityU.S. Customs Service

U.S. Department of JusticeDrug Enforcement Administration

Diversion Control ProgramU.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Oklahoma


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