RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Centice Corporation, a pioneer in chemical verification and identification using Raman spectroscopy and computational sensor technology, today announced the Mobile Field Lab-3000 (MFL-3000) enables law enforcement to not only identify MDMA (street name “Molly”), but also to instantly identify the cutting agents used to make this potentially lethal drug.

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) is a Schedule 1 controlled substance widely known as “ecstasy”. “Molly” is a colloquial term referring to MDMA in powder or crystalline form, usually implying a higher level of purity. When ingested, MDMA is said to give a sense of euphoria, mild psychedelia, an increase in energy, and often produces a sense of intimacy with others.

The drug is popular at raves and concerts and has recently been associated with a string of overdoses in Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC. Lethal side effects include body over-heating, increased heart rate, and a rise in blood pressure which can result in heart attack or death. In Molly, the MDMA is often cut with everything from caffeine to rat poison, and often it isn’t MDMA at all, but methylone, a similar and equally dangerous substance. With the recent string of deaths involving MDMA, experts warn that the drug could be contaminated or completely counterfeit, creating a challenge for law enforcement to identify the street drugs and additional adulterants that can be laced with it.

Centice’s MFL-3000 enables narcotic squads and drug task forces to quickly and easily perform drug identification in the field without destroying any evidence. Centice’s Raman spectroscopy technology rapidly scans any pill or illicit substance and identifies its unique spectral fingerprint. The MFL-3000 also identifies cutting agents and precursors used in making illicit drugs, and works with both pure substances and mixtures. With a library of over 3600 narcotics, precursors, synthetic drugs, and prescription pills, the MFL-3000 helps law enforcement identify the vast majority of illicit substances found on the street.

“The MFL-3000 gives law enforcement the edge they need to not only identify MDMA in the field, but also the agents used to cut it,” said Richard Michelli, VP of Engineering for Centice. “By tracking these cutting agents, police can eventually trace the source of these illegal substances.”

About Centice

Centice Corporation is a leader in delivering unique technology and systems for identification and verification of chemical substances. With substantial capability in our MFL-3000 product which focuses on chemical identification of narcotics, cutting agents, and controlled prescription drugs (CPD), the company brings new capabilities to field narcotic officers and drug interdiction agents. Operating worldwide through a network of distributors and support organizations the company sells to governments, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and local law enforcement departments. By leveraging expertise in applied Raman spectroscopy and patented Coded Aperture design our engineers deliver on faster acquisition times, greater sensor reliability, and more sensitive spectra data acquisition. The company is headquartered in Morrisville, NC and founded in 2004 from technology created at Duke University.