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News

Not only are our customers in the news - they make the news! We contribute to our customer's success with the very best science and technology that never stops advancing.  

Here we capture the more significant and interesting news stories we've been associated with along with our own.

20-03-15

Cocaine and Sandwiches

The BBC Points West news programme visited the Bristol-based offices of Mass Spec and shot an interview piece with Dr. Richard Sleeman where he explained that virtually all bank notes in circulation have traces of illicit drugs, including cocaine, on them.

The recent story about a Bristol bus driver who was found to be unfairly dismissed after testing positive for cocaine during a random drugs tests caught the imagination of the press in the west of England and the UK national news as well. The bus driver claimed that cocaine from hundreds of bank notes that he had handled during the day had transferred to his hands and then onto his sandwiches; explaining why after lunch, he tested positive for cocaine after being given a saliva test.

The BBC wanted to add an expert opinion to their coverage of the story and contacted Mass Spec to share our experience with drug – specifically cocaine – presence on bank notes.

The BBC Points West news programme visited the Bristol-based offices of Mass Spec and shot an interview piece with Dr. Richard Sleeman where he explained that virtually all bank notes in circulation have traces of illicit drugs, including cocaine, on them. Cocaine, he explained, is particularly pervasive because it is such a stable compound and does not break down as quickly as many other illicit drugs found on banknotes.  Of course, with one of the largest drugs-on-money databases in the world with more than 120,000 banknotes analysed from over 170 locations across the UK, Mass Spec can speak with authority on the topic!

The insight proved very useful in providing a scientific perspective backed by real-world experience and led the BBC to feature Dr Sleeman on the BBC Radio 2 Jeremy Vine show, BBC Bristol Radio with Geoff Twentyman and BBC Points West Television news.

Image Credit: © Lance Hiley | Mass Spec
 

 

 

Contact Mass Spec Analytical on  +44(0)117 428 5787

Email: service@msaltd.co.uk