Adulteration and substitution of drugs purchased in Australia from cryptomarkets: An analysis of Test4Pay.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional analysis of a convenience sample of drug test results (by design analogy)
PubMed 38437019 · doi:10.1111/dar.13825
What was done
The study analyzed test results from 103 drug samples purchased in Australia from cryptomarkets and posted to the darknet forum Test4Pay between September 1, 2022, and August 23, 2023. Samples were tested by the Vancouver-based service Get Your Drugs Tested using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy alongside immunoassay test strips for fentanyl and benzodiazepines.
What was found
Of 103 samples, 65% contained only the advertised drug, 14% contained the advertised drug alongside other psychoactive or potentially harmful substances, and 21% contained no trace of the advertised substance. Substances sold as MDMA, methamphetamine, or heroin consistently contained only the advertised substance. Substances sold as 2C-B, alprazolam, or ketamine were the most frequently completely substituted. Among 19 samples sold as cocaine, only 4 contained purely cocaine, while 13 contained cocaine mixed with adulterants (including lidocaine, creatine, levamisole, and boric acid). No fentanyl was detected, but novel dissociatives, novel benzodiazepines, and a nitazene compound were identified.
Why it matters
Despite cryptomarket review and feedback mechanisms intended to promote vendor accountability, unregulated online drug purchases remain susceptible to substantial adulteration and substitution, underscoring the utility of community drug-checking services.
Limits
The sample size was modest (n = 103) and represents a self-selected convenience sample of users who chose to send samples for testing and post results online, introducing potential selection bias. FTIR spectroscopy and test strips also have detection limits that may miss low-concentration adulterants.
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