Clandestine Methamphetamine Drug Manufacturing and Substance Use Disorders in Sri Lanka: A Case study on detection of Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory

Abstract: The illicit manufacture of synthetic drugs, trafficking and non-medical use of these synthetic drugs are a global challenge. Development of pharmaceutical and chemical industries have contributed to the continued discovery and proliferation of synthetic drugs. However, only a few synthetic drugs mainly amphetamine type stimulant (ATS), in particularly methamphetamine and methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) have established robust global markets. Methamphetamine is probably the most widely used and supplied synthetic drug worldwide, and its manufacture and use continue to expand in South-East Asia, North America, South-West Asia, Africa and Europe. Methamphetamine continues to dominate the ATS market and trafficking is growing in non-traditional market. Methamphetamine named as a synthetic stimulant drug and belongs to the amphetamine group (ATS). Methamphetamine come as a crystal, powder as well as tablet form. Now in many countries, Methamphetamine manufactured in illegal illicit (clandestine) laboratories. The proliferation of clandestine laboratories manufacturing synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, ketamine and etc., poses a significant threat to public health and law enforcement agencies in worldwide. In May 2024, the Jaffna divisional crime investigation unit officers arrested a house in Jaffna, Sri Lanka suspecting it to be a clandestine laboratory for the production of illicit methamphetamine. As of the order of the Honorable Magistrate, the National Narcotics Laboratory (NNL) of National Dangerous Drugs Control Board was tasked to investigate the suspected clandestine laboratory. Accordingly, two official from the NNL visited and scrutinized the location. Further, equipment and chemicals were examined and samples were collected for further analysis. Presumptive colour tests were conducted at the scene. Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis was performed for the collected samples at the NNL. The analysis of the collected samples revealed the presence of methamphetamine which is a controlled substance in Sri Lanka. Keywords: Amphetamine Type Stimulant (ATS), Methamphetamine, Illicit Manufacture, Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Title: Clandestine Methamphetamine Drug Manufacturing and Substance Use Disorders in Sri Lanka: A Case study on detection of Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory Author: Mayoni Abeynayake, Indika Wanninayake, Maheshi Perera International Journal of Recent Research in Physics and Chemical Sciences (IJRRPCS) ISSN 2350-1030 Vol. 12, Issue 2, October 2025 - March 2026 Page No: 7-11 Paper Publications Website: www.paperpublications.org Published Date: 30-March-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19338741 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.paperpublications.org/upload/book/Clandestine%20Methamphetamine%20Drug-30032026-7.pdf