Citation

Puschel K, Stein S, Stobbe S, Heinemann A. Forensic Sci. Int. 2004; 140(1): 109-111.

Affiliation

Institute of Legal Medicine, Butenfeld 34, Hamburg 22529, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2003.10.025

PMID

15013172

Abstract

The wrappings and contents of 683 drug containers (bubbles) seized from 154 street dealers have been analysed since 2001, when the law enforcement policy in Hamburg, Germany, allowed the application of emetics to be used by so-called body stuffers for the recovery of swallowed drug packages. Of the bubbles recovered 96% contained cocaine. Cases of intoxication have not yet been observed but a 20-year-old man with a previously unknown toxic cardiomyopathy died 3 days after a sudden cardiac arrest which followed the forced application of ipecacuanha via correctly placed nasogastral tube.

Language: en