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Hidden administration of 5-APB in a dancing club of New Caledonia documented by urine analysis: about 3 cases

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Abstract

1-Benzofuran-5-ylpropan-2-amine or 5-APB is a new psychoactive substance (NPS) with empathic effects close to ecstasy (MDMA). Although 5-APB has been observed in fatality cases, the drug has not yet been reported in the context of hidden administration for behaviour impairment, also known as drug-facilitated crime. Such a situation was recently observed on 3 separate occasions in the same dancing club of New Caledonia. It involves 3 women, aged 27, 29, and 33 years who presented, after having drunk a cocktail, anxiety, abnormal movements of the inferior jaw, and aggressiveness. No memory loss was noticed. About 12 h after the event, a urine specimen was collected in the 3 cases. Comprehensive toxicology was requested and only 5-APB was identified, at 6, 8, and 14 ng/mL. Urine ethanol tested negative, which is consistent with the limited intake before the event occurred. These results have demonstrated that NPS are circulating in New Caledonia, which was not previously reported, and that 5-APB, like ecstasy, can be used to modify the behaviour of a subject, as it can be done by a chemical weapon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Barla, 6 rue Barla, 06000, Nice, France

    Frédéric Aknouche & Christophe Maruejouls

  2. Institut de Médecine Légale, 11 rue Humann, 67000, Strasbourg, France

    Alice Ameline & Pascal Kintz

  3. Laboratoire de Biochimie, CHT Gaston-Bourret, 110 boulevard Joseph Wamytan, , 98835, Dumbéa sur mer, Nouvelle Calédonie, France

    Yann Barguil

  4. X-Pertise Consulting, 42 rue principale, 67206, Mittelhausbergen, France

    Pascal Kintz

Authors
  1. Frédéric Aknouche
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  2. Alice Ameline
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  3. Yann Barguil
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  4. Christophe Maruejouls
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  5. Pascal Kintz
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Correspondence to Pascal Kintz.

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Aknouche, F., Ameline, A., Barguil, Y. et al. Hidden administration of 5-APB in a dancing club of New Caledonia documented by urine analysis: about 3 cases. Int J Legal Med 136, 1315–1319 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02850-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02850-w

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