2015 HEROIN DOMESTIC 

MONITOR PROGRAM

DEA DEA-DCW-DIR-035-17 OCTOBER 2017

Intelligence 

Report

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2015 

HEROIN 

DOMESTIC 

MONITOR 

PROGRAM
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Table of Contents

Executive Summary.............................................................................................1

Background.....................................................................................................2

Qualified Samples..............................................................................................4

Exhibits Classified as Inconclusive.......................................................................4

2015 HDMP Results.........................................................................................5

Heroin Adulterants and Diluents.........................................................................7

Regional..........................................................................................................8

City by City......................................................................................................9

Geo-Probes: Views from Additional Cities.......................................................21

2015 Summary of Findings...............................................................................21

HDMPConsumers...........................................................................................22

Appendix A: 2000 - 2015 Heroin Domestic Monitor Program Results..............23

Appendix B: 2014 Heroin Counts, Purities, Prices, 

Origin, and City by Geographic Region: Mexican Heroin Origin......................24

Appendix B: 2014 Heroin Counts, Purities, Prices, 

Origin, and City by Geographic Region...........................................................25

Appendix C: 2013 Heroin Counts, Purities, Prices, 

Origin, and City by Geographic Region...........................................................26

Appendix D: Definitions....................................................................................27
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Executive Summary

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Heroin Domestic Monitor Program (HDMP) is a 

retail-level heroin purchase program that provides data analysis about the geographic source of 

heroin, along with price, purity, adulterants, and diluents sold at the street-level in 27 U.S. cities. In 

2015, a total of 823 qualified exhibits were purchased. Of those exhibits, 600 were classified as 

Mexican-origin heroin (267 Mexican-South American [MEX-SA], 252 Mexican-Black Tar [MEX/T], 

49 Mexican-Brown Powder [MEX/BP], and 32 Mexican [MEX]); 178 heroin exhibits were classified 

as Inconclusive Origin-South American Processing Method (INC-SA); 42 were classified as South 

American (SA) heroin; and 3 were classified as Southwest Asian (SWA) heroin. During 2015, for the 

tenth consecutive year, no Southeast Asian (SEA) heroin exhibits were purchased through the HDMP. 

2015 HDMP data indicated that Mexican-origin heroin was the predominant type of heroin available 

in U.S. retail drug markets. In 2015, the overall average purity of Mexican-origin heroin was 29 

percent, an increase of 7.9 percentage points1 from 2014. The purity levels of Mexican-origin heroin 

in 2015 varied within the signature classifications that were developed by DEA’s Special Testing and 

Research Laboratory (SFL1) for Mexican-produced heroin. MEX/T averaged 21.7 percent pure, a 

decrease of 1.2 percentage points from 2014; and MEX/BP averaged 10.2 percent pure, a decrease 

of 3.3 percentage points from 2014. Heroin exhibits classified as MEX-SA (new formal signature for 

Mexican white powder heroin) averaged 41.2 percent pure, a decrease of 16 percentage points from 

2014. Heroin classified as MEX that is refined or crudely manufactured heroin from Mexico that does 

not fit in one of the other Mexican signature categories, averaged 14.8 percent pure, an increase of 

13.2 percentage points from 2014 (see Figure 1).

1 A percentage point is a unit expressing the arithmetic difference between two percentages, e.g., a decline of one percentage 

point would be a decrease from 10 percent to nine percent. A complete list of other definitions is available in Appendix D.

Figure 1: Heroin Exhibits: Origins and Purities.

Source: DEA
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Mexican-origin heroin exhibits reflected an average price per milligram pure of $0.93,2 a decrease 

of $0.22 from the 2014 price of $1.15 per milligram pure. Heroin classified as MEX cost $1.10 price 

per milligram pure, a decrease of $8.88 from the 2014 price of $9.98 per milligram pure. MEX/T cost 

$0.80 price per milligram pure, a decrease of $0.24 from the 2014 price of $1.04 per milligram pure; 

and MEX/BP cost $1.29 price per milligram pure, an increase of $0.32 from the 2014 price of $0.97 

per milligram pure. Heroin exhibits classified as MEX-SA cost $0.97 per milligram pure, an increase 

of $0.61 from the 2014 price of $0.36 per milligram pure.

A significant number of 2015 HDMP heroin exhibits were classified as INC-SA, which is the new 

formal signature classification assigned by SFL1 to heroin where either Mexico or South America 

could be the geographic origin, but is produced or refined using South American processing methods. 

Extremely adulterated and/or diluted (low purity) heroin, such as that purchased at the retail level, is 

likely to generate this classification.

2015 HDMP data indicated that SA heroin and heroin classified as INC-SA were encountered most 

often in the Eastern and Midwestern United States. HDMP data revealed that heroin classified as 

INC-SA had an average purity of 27.5 percent, a decrease of 10.5 percentage points from 2014, while 

SA heroin exhibits had an average purity at 39.1 percent, an increase of 8 percentage points from 

2014. HDMP data further reflected the average price per milligram pure for heroin classified as INCSA was $1.19, an increase of $0.12 from 2014. SA heroin exhibits had an average price per milligram 

pure of $1.05, an increase of $0.02 from 2014. 

SWA heroin exhibits purchased in 2015 under the HDMP were obtained in Baltimore, Maryland 

and New York, New York. These exhibits had an average purity of 18.7 percent, an increase of 2.5 

percentage points from 2014. SWA heroin exhibits had an average price per milligram pure of $0.86, 

a decrease of $0.20 from 2014. 

Exhibits classified as “unknown” (UNK) were purchased in all but ten of the HDMP cities. Heroin 

exhibits are classified as UNK when their signature profiles are inconsistent with the signature profiles 

of authentic heroin exhibits3 collected from the four geographic source regions: Mexico, South 

America, Southeast Asia, or Southwest Asia. Comparison of 2009 HDMP data to 2015 data reflected 

a 69.6 percent decrease in exhibits whose signature was classified as UNK by SFL1. This decrease 

is due in large part to the new forensic protocols introduced by SFL1 in May 2015. These protocols 

allow chemists to better differentiate and isolate the origin of heroin exhibits previously classified as 

UNK to either Mexico or South America.

Background 

The HDMP collects data on the geographic origin of street-level heroin along with price, purity, 

adulterants, and diluents available in major metropolitan areas of the United States. Each quarter, 

the DEA Intelligence Division provides funding for the purchase of retail (street-level) heroin exhibits 

in 27 metropolitan areas. Each purchase is submitted for in-depth chemical analysis at SFL1. 

The goal of the HDMP is to provide Federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, as well as 

drug policymakers and drug abuse researchers, with information regarding domestic heroin available 

at the street level. Through Heroin Signature Analysis,4 SFL1 also determines the geographic origin 

2 All prices are listed in U.S. dollars throughout the report.

3 An authentic heroin exhibit meets at least one of the following criteria: 1) a heroin exhibit seized in heroin 

producing countries; 2) a heroin exhibit seized in a heroin/opium processing laboratory in a heroin/opium source 

country; 3) a heroin exhibit transported directly to the United States from a source country and seized at a U.S. 

land, sea, or airport port of entry.

4 Heroin Signature Analysis is a program developed by the DEA to identify the geographic source area of a heroin 

exhibit. Heroin signature analysis is based on exhaustive chemical profiles of authentic exhibits acquired from 

each of the four major heroin source areas: Mexico, South America, Southeast Asia, and Southwest Asia.
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of each qualified heroin exhibit submitted to the program. HDMP data analyses also reveal changes 

in heroin availability, price and purity, adulterants and diluents, use patterns, and marketing practices. 

Since its inception more than 35 years ago, the HDMP has proven to be a valuable and reliable 

indicator for the detection of trends in U.S. retail-level heroin trafficking. The program also has 

provided accurate assessments of the fluctuations in the domestic retail availability of heroin sourced 

from each of the major heroin source areas—Mexico, South America, Southeast Asia, and Southwest 

Asia (see Figure 2). In recent years, the HDMP has tracked the increasing presence of Mexican 

white powder heroin at the retail level, particularly in the East and Midwest sections of the 

Figure 2: Heroin Source Areas.

Source: DEA

United States. In years past, the HDMP also documented the increased availability in the early to 

mid-1980s of SEA heroin at the retail level in a number of U.S. cities; further documented significant 

increases in the mid-1990s in the amount of SA heroin available at the retail level, particularly in the 

key metropolitan heroin markets of the Northeastern United States; and, in the early 2000s, HDMP

program data highlighted the growth in competitive drug markets containing heroin from multiple 

geographic sources.

The HDMP was initiated in DEA’s New York Division in 1979 and, to this day, particular attention 

is paid to HDMP results for New York City because it remains one of the most prominent heroin 

destination and distribution centers in the United States. Between 1979 and 1991, the number of 

DEA offices that participated in the HDMP fluctuated between 6 and 12. In 1991, the DEA expanded 

the HDMP to include one city in each of DEA’s 21 domestic field divisions. Between 1995 and 

1999, Baltimore, Maryland; Orlando, Florida; and El Paso, Texas joined as program participants. 

San Antonio, Texas and Richmond, Virginia were added as participants in early 2003. In 2006, the 

program was expanded further to include Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and 

Portland, Oregon. In January 2010, the El Paso Field Division transferred the program from El Paso, 

Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and in September 2011, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota was 

removed from the HDMP. 
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As previously noted, the HDMP is conducted in 27 metropolitan areas, as opposed to nationwide 

sampling. Consequently, attempts to calculate a national average for price and purity cannot be 

extrapolated solely from program results because the sampling reflects local user preferences and 

market availability. The dynamics of the local heroin market are unique to each metropolitan area; 

2015 HDMP data accurately reflect long-term local trends as well as changes in price per milligram 

pure and purity in the participating cities.

Qualified Exhibits 

The DEA offices in most cities where the HDMP is 

conducted are tasked with 10 street-level heroin purchases 

per quarter, or a total of 40 purchases per year. In New York 

City, 15 purchases are made per quarter, a total of 60 per 

year. The following cities purchase only five exhibits per 

quarter, a total of 20 per year: Albuquerque, New Mexico; 

Houston, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 

Portland, Oregon; Richmond, Virginia; and San Antonio, 

Texas. Thus, 960 heroin exhibits were scheduled for 

purchase during 2015 as part of the HDMP. 

The total number of exhibits included in HDMP analysis 

varies year to year based on a number of factors. For 

example, some purchased exhibits are determined to 

contain no controlled substance; some are determined to 

contain another controlled substance such as cocaine; and 

others, while containing heroin, do not include a sufficient 

amount to allow for geographic signature classification. 

Such exhibits are not included in this report. Those that are 

included in the yearly HDMP analysis are deemed “qualified 

exhibits,” signifying that geographic source data could be 

obtained for the exhibit. 

Exhibits Classified as Inconclusive – South 

America (INC-SA) 

A significant number of 2015 HDMP heroin exhibits (178) 

were classified as INC-SA. This new signature classification 

indicates inconclusive geographic origin for a heroin sample 

that was produced using South American processing 

methods. It is generally employed when adulterants in 

the sample hinder the determination of origin as to South 

America or Mexico. Extremely adulterated and diluted (low 

purity) heroin, such as that purchased at the retail level, is 

Is it Possible for SWA heroin to 

be misclassified as SA, MEX-SA 

or INC-SA heroin?

• SWA heroin has a unique 

chemical signature that displays 

no similarities to the chemical 

signatures of the heroin types 

produced in either South America 

or Mexico. Due to the distinct 

signature differences, it is not 

possible to misclassify SWA 

heroin as either South American or 

Mexican origin.

• DEA’s SFL1 continues to monitor 

SWA heroin production and finds 

its signatures remaining consistent 

since the inception of the Heroin 

Signature Program (HSP).

• Over the last 40 years, SFL1 

has used thousands of authentic 

samples to establish the signature 

profiles of heroin produced in 

various regions of the world. 

Currently, about 7,000 authentic 

samples are employed to classify 

a heroin sample at a 95 percent 

confidence level with four 

independent signature methods.

Source: DEA

likely to generate this classification. 2015 HDMP results reflect that the average purity of INC-SA 

heroin was only 27.5%, indicating high levels of adulteration and/or dilution.

Although the majority of the 2015 HDMP exhibits classified as INC-SA were purchased in the Eastern 

and Midwestern United States where SA heroin has typically dominated the market, SFL1 is currently 

unable to provide any additional attribution (i.e., Mexico or South America, as origin) for these exhibits 

as both SA and MEX-SA heroin types were well-represented in this group. SFL1 reports that the 

overlapping presence of common adulterants in SA, MEX-SA, and INC-SA heroin types indicates 

an elaborate but consistent cutting pattern for heroin distributed in Eastern and Midwestern retail 

markets. Regardless of origin (Mexico or South America), powder HDMP exhibits continue to identify 

an overwhelming use of other chemical compounds with heroin.
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2015 HDMP Results 

General

In 2015, a total of 823 qualified exhibits were purchased under the HDMP. Of those exhibits, 600 

were classified as Mexican origin heroin (267 MEX-SA; 252 MEX/T; 49 MEX/BP; and 32 MEX), 178 

were classified as INC-SA, 42 were classified as SA heroin, and 3 were classified as SWA heroin. 

During 2015, for the tenth consecutive year, no SEA heroin exhibits were purchased through the 

HDMP. 

According to 2015 HDMP data, the average purity for Mexican-origin heroin was 29 percent (MEX 

heroin 14.8 percent pure; MEX/T 21.7 percent pure; MEX/BP 10.2 percent pure; while MEX-SA heroin 

exhibited the highest purity in the program at 41.2 percent). Heroin exhibits under the classification 

of INC-SA exhibited an average purity of 27.5 percent, while SA heroin exhibits exhibited an average 

purity at 39.1 percent. SWA heroin exhibits exhibited an average purity at 18.7 percent pure. 

Mexican-origin heroin exhibits reflected an average price per milligram pure of $0.93 (MEX-SA $0.97 

price per milligram pure; MEX/T $0.80 price per milligram pure; MEX/BP $1.29 price per milligram 

pure; and MEX heroin $1.10 price per milligram pure). The average price per milligram pure for 

heroin classified as INC-SA and SA heroin was $1.19 and $ 1.05, respectively while SWA heroin 

exhibits reflected an average price per milligram pure of $0.86. 

From 2014 to 2015, the average price per milligram pure of Mexican-origin heroin decreased $0.22, 

while the average purity of Mexican-origin heroin in 2015 increased to 29 percent from 21.1 percent in 

2014. The average price per milligram pure of INC-SA heroin increased $0.12 in 2015, from the 2014 

price of $1.07 per milligram pure. INC-SA average purity decreased 10.5 percentage points in 2015. 

The average price per milligram pure of SA heroin increased $0.02 in 2015, from the 2014 price of 

$1.03 per milligram pure. In 2015, the average purity of SA heroin increased 8 percentage points. 

The purity of SWA heroin increased to 18.7 percent in 2015 from 16.2 percent in 2014, while the 

average price per milligram pure dropped to $0.86 in 2015 from its 2014 price of $1.06 per milligram 

pure. 

Figures 6 and 7 reflect the characteristics of heroin purchased in the 27 unique heroin markets 

sampled by the HDMP. The values shown in these tables are “snapshots” and are not representative 

of national averages. Figure 3 reflects 2015 values for heroin price and purity by source area and 

includes price and purity values for the period 2011 through 2015. 
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Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a Schedule II narcotic controlled substance which is used as an analgesic and anesthetic. 

It is one of the most potent opioids available for human or veterinary use. Fentanyl is generally 

considered 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin. 

Fentanyl is potentially lethal at very low levels of ingestion. While diversion and/or theft of fentanyl 

from legitimate supplies occurs, the vast majority of fentanyl encountered in the illicit market is 

clandestinely manufactured outside the United States or illegally smuggled into the United States 

from overseas suppliers. 

In 2015, 53 HDMP exhibits were analyzed as containing fentanyl, fentanyl (trace), fentanyl (acetyl), 

and fentanyl (not quantitated). These fentanyl exhibits were purchased in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, 

Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, St. 

Louis, and Washington, DC (see Figure 4). 

SFL1 analysis of these fentanyl exhibits indicated they also contained adulterants such as dipyrone, 

ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, tramadol, alpha-PVP, N-EthylMDCATH, mirtazapine, 

meprobamate, quetiapine, alprazolam, gabapentin, noscapine, and pyrilamine. 

By comparison, in 2014, 21 exhibits purchased under the HDMP were analyzed as containing 

fentanyl, fentanyl (trace), and fentanyl (not quantitated). These exhibits were purchased in Atlanta, 

Baltimore, Boston, Detroit, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, and Washington, DC.

Figure 3: Heroin Exhibits: Orgin, Purities, and Price.

Heroin Sources 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Mexican Origin Exhibits 296 339 357 287 600

Mexican Origin Percent Pure 16.8% 17.6% 20.3% 21.1% 29%

Mexican Origin Price Per Milligram Pure $1.35 $1.40 $1.13 $1.15 $0.93 

South America Exhibits 323 375 334 34 42

South America Percent Pure 31.1% 35.3% 35.1% 31.1% 39.1%

South America Price Per Milligram Pure $1.18 $1.15 $1.04 $1.03 $1.05

Inconclusive Origin-South America Exhibits - - - 303 178

Inconclusive Origin-South America Percent Pure - - - 38% 27.5%

Inconclusive Origin-South America Price Pure 

Milligram Pure - - - $1.07 $1.19

Southwest Asia Exhibits 23 12 8 1 3

Southwest Asia Percent Pure 12.3% 18.6% 23% 16.2% 18.7%

Southwest Asia Price Per Milligram Pure $1.66 $1.10 $1.23 $1.06 $0.86

Source: DEA
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Heroin Adulterants and Diluents 

Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is produced from morphine by 

a chemical process known as acetylation. The morphine 

is extracted from opium, which is derived from the opium 

poppy plant (Papaver somniferum L). Adulterants are 

pharmacologically active substances such as caffeine, 

procaine, and quinine, which are added subsequent to the 

heroin conversion process. Diluents are pharmacologically 

inactive substances (i.e. cutting agents) such as lactose, 

mannitol, starch, and sucrose, added to the heroin to 

increase bulk/quantity. 

SA Heroin Adulterants and Diluents 

•	 Analysis of 2015 HDMP exhibits identified quinine 

as one of the most commonly used adulterants 

for SA heroin and it was present in 53 percent of 

the HDMP SA heroin exhibits. SA heroin exhibits 

contained adulterants such as caffeine (45 percent), 

and diltiazem (3 percent). Diphenhydramine, 

acetaminophen, and lidocaine were also routinely 

detected. The most common diluent identified in SA 

heroin exhibits was lactose (identified in 48 percent 

of the exhibits), followed by mannitol (identified in 40 

percent of the exhibits). Approximately 2 percent of 

SA heroin exhibits analyzed in 2015 contained no 

diluents.

•	 Four SA heroin exhibits purchased in Puerto Rico 

contained methorphan (as in dextromethorphan), 

which is usually found as an adulterant in SWA 

heroin.

Figure 4: Heroin Domestic 

Monitor Cities with Fentanyl 

Exhibits.

CITY 2015

Atlanta 5

Baltimore 3

Boston 9

Chicago 3

Detroit 13

Miami 6

New Orleans 1

New York 3

Orlando 2

Philadelphia 2

Pittsburgh 2

San Diego 2

St. Louis 1

Washington, DC 1

Source: DEA

•	 Three SA heroin exhibits purchased in Georgia (Duluth, Norcross, and Stone Mountain) and 

analyzed under the HDMP program were also found to contain fentanyl.

Mexican-Origin Heroin Adulterants and Diluents 

•	 Approximately 64 percent of Mexican-origin heroin exhibits analyzed under the HDMP in 2015 

were unadulterated with others exhibits containing adulterants such as caffeine (16 percent), 

diphenhydramine (12 percent), lidocaine (8 percent), quinine (8 percent), and acetaminophen 

(5 percent). Cocaine was also identified in approximately 4 percent of Mexican-origin 

heroin exhibits. Fentanyl was identified in approximately 3 percent of Mexican-origin heroin 

exhibits. These exhibits were purchased in Florida (Miami, Orlando, and West Palm Beach); 

Chicago, Illinois; Massachusetts (Dorchester, Lynn, and Revere); Michigan (Detroit, Roseville, 

and Warren); St. Louis, Missouri; New York, New York; and Pennsylvania (Penn Hills and 

Philadelphia). 

•	 Lactose was identified as the most common diluent for Mexican-origin heroin and was noted 

in 42 percent of the exhibits. Mannitol was detected in 18 percent of the exhibits followed by 

inositol at 11 percent. Dextrose was discovered in less than 10 percent of the HDMP Mexicanorigin heroin exhibits. No diluents were identified in approximately 30 percent of Mexican-origin 

heroin exhibits analyzed in 2015.
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Seattle

Chicago

San Juan

New Orleans

Albuquerque

Denver

Portland

St. Louis

Miami

Orlando

Atlanta

San Francisco

Los Angeles

San Diego Phoenix

Detroit

Dallas

San Antonio

Houston

New York Pittburgh

Newark

Philadelphia

Baltimore

Washington, DC

Richmond

SWA Heroin Adulterants and Diluents 

•	 Only three SWA heroin exhibits were purchased via the HDMP in 2015 and adulterants 

detected in these exhibits included caffeine, quinine, diphenhydramine, and methorphan while 

diluents identified in these same heroin exhibits included lactose and mannitol. 

Regional 

Analysis of 2015 HDMP data indicates that Mexican-origin heroin is now the predominant heroin 

type available in retail markets throughout the U.S. In 2015, 240 heroin exhibits classified as MEXSA (white powder heroin) were purchased in retail markets east of the Mississippi River with another 

34 MEX-SA exhibits purchased in markets west of the Mississippi. In addition, heroin classified as 

MEX/T, MEX/BP, and MEX continued to dominate markets west of the Mississippi. In 2015, only 

42 heroin exhibits classified as SA heroin were purchased under the HDMP, primarily in traditional 

East Coast white heroin retail markets. Of the 178 HDMP exhibits classified as INC-SA, 171 were 

purchased in Eastern and Midwestern cities that are considered traditional white heroin markets. 

Three SWA heroin exhibits purchased under the HDMP in 2015 were obtained in Baltimore, Maryland 

and New York, New York. 

Figure 5: Heroin Domestic Monitoring Program Participating Cities.

Source: DEA

Boston
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City by City 

Albuquerque, New Mexico 

In 2015, 17 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Fifteen 

were classified as MEX/T heroin. The average purity of these exhibits was 16.4 percent with an 

average cost of $0.58 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of 

MEX/T heroin decreased 2.7 percentage points, while the price per milligram pure increased by 

$0.10. 

Two exhibits were classified as MEX/BP with an average purity of 16.6 percent, while the average 

cost was $0.47 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of MEX/BP 

heroin decreased 0.5 percentage points, while the price per milligram pure increased by $0.11. 

Overall, Mexican-origin heroin exhibits purchased in Albuquerque averaged 16.4 percent pure, while 

the average cost was $0.57 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of 

Mexican-origin heroin in Albuquerque decreased 2.5 percentage points, while the price per milligram 

pure of this heroin increased by $0.10. 

One other HDMP exhibit purchased in Albuquerque in 2015 was classified as an UNK signature and 

was analyzed at 18.3 percent pure, and cost $0.96 per milligram pure.

Atlanta, Georgia 

In 2015, 36 qualified heroin exhibits were purchased i the Atlanta metropolitan area. Twenty-three of 

these exhibits were classified as MEX-SA. The average purity of these exhibits was 63.6 percent with 

an average cost of $0.46 per milligram pure. Six exhibits purchased in Atlanta in 2015 were classified 

as INC-SA and were analyzed with an average purity of 43 percent with an average cost of $1.80 per 

milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity increased by 0.4 percentage points, 

while the average price per milligram pure decreased by $0.01. 

Seven HDMP heroin exhibits purchased in Atlanta in 2015 were classified as SA heroin. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 58.2 percent and an average price of $0.72 per milligram pure. 

In 2015, one heroin exhibit purchased in Atlanta was classified as UNK signature and was analyzed 

at 2.6 percent pure and cost $11.10 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average 

purity of exhibits classified as UNK signature decreased 64.7 percentage points, while the price per 

milligram pure increased by $9.09. 

Baltimore, Maryland

In 2015, 30 qualified heroin exhibits were purchased in Baltimore, Maryland. Twenty-three of these 

exhibits were classified as INC-SA. These exhibits reflected an average purity of 16.6 percent, 

with an average cost of $0.62 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity 

increased by 3.7 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure decreased by $0.05. 

Three exhibits were classified as MEX-SA. The average purity of these exhibits was 21.1 percent 

with an average cost of $0.74 per milligram pure. Three HDMP heroin exhibits purchased in Baltimore 

in 2015 were classified as SA heroin. These exhibits had an average purity of 9.6 percent and an 

average price of $0.68 per milligram pure. No SA heroin exhibits were purchased in Baltimore in 

2014. 

One SWA exhibit was purchased in Baltimore in 2015. The exhibit was 9 percent pure and cost $0.65 

per milligram pure. There were no SWA exhibits purchased in 2014. 
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Four other heroin exhibits purchased in Baltimore in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. 

These exhibits had an average purity of 9.3 percent and cost an average of $0.62 per milligram 

pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits decreased 1.5 

percentage points, while the price per milligram pure decreased by $0.43. 

Boston, Massachusetts

A total of 31 qualified heroin exhibits were purchased in the Boston metropolitan area. Twenty-three 

of these exhibits were classified as MEX-SA. These exhibits reflected an average purity of 13.4 

percent and an average price of $1.07 per milligram pure. Seven exhibits purchased were classified 

as INC-SA and were analyzed with an average purity of 9.6 percent with an average cost of $2.60 per 

milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity decreased by 9.9 percentage points, 

while the average price per milligram pure increased by $1.48. 

One SA exhibit was purchased in Boston in 2015. The exhibit was 4.2 percent pure and cost $3.09 

per milligram pure. There were no SA exhibits purchased in 2014. 

Chicago, Illinois

In 2015, 33 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in the Chicago metropolitan area. Nineteen 

of these exhibits were classified as INC-SA. The average purity of these heroin exhibits was 12.1 

percent and the average price was $0.87 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average 

purity increased by 1.1 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure increased by 

$0.39.

Eleven exhibits were classified as MEX-SA with an average purity of 13.5 percent and an average 

price of $1.00 per milligram pure. Three exhibits purchased in Chicago in 2015 were classified as SA 

heroin with an average purity of 11.6 percent and an average price of $0.46 per milligram pure. There 

were no SA exhibits purchased in 2014.

Five other HDMP exhibits purchased in Chicago in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 12.9 percent and cost an average of $0.64 per milligram pure. 

This represents an increase in purity of 1.2 percentage points, and an increase of $0.25 in price per 

milligram pure when compared to 2014 HDMP statistics. 

Dallas, Texas

In 2015, 40 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in the Dallas metropolitan area. Twenty-three 

of these exhibits were classified as MEX/BP heroin. The average purity of these exhibits was 8.5 

percent with an average cost of $0.82 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average 

purity increased by 1.2 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure increased by 

$0.26.

Ten HDMP exhibits purchased in Dallas in 2015 were classified as MEX/T and were analyzed with 

an average purity of 19.9 percent and an average cost of $1.01 per milligram pure. Compared to 

2014 HDMP data, average purity decreased by 5.2 percentage points, while the average price per 

milligram pure decreased by $0.79. 

Five other heroin exhibits were classified as MEX with an average purity of 18 percent and an 

average price of $1.67 per milligram pure. One MEX-SA exhibit was purchased in Dallas in 2015 and 

was analyzed at 9.8 percent pure, and cost $0.49 per milligram pure.
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Overall, Mexican-origin heroin exhibits purchased in Dallas had an average purity of 12.7 percent, 

while the average cost was $0.97 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average 

purity of Mexican-origin heroin in Dallas decreased 8.3 percentage points, while the price per 

milligram pure decreased by $0.55. 

One other HDMP exhibit purchased in Dallas in 2015 was classified as INC-SA and was analyzed at 

7.6 percent pure, and cost $0.73 per milligram pure. There was also one HDMP exhibit purchased 

and classified as an UNK signature and was analyzed at 7.6 percent pure, and cost $0.37 per 

milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits 

increased 5.3 percentage points, while the price per milligram pure decreased by $1.03. 

Denver, Colorado 

In 2015, 40 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in the Denver metropolitan area. Thirty-six of 

these exhibits were classified as MEX/T heroin with an average purity of 17.6 percent and an average 

cost of $0.77 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity decreased by 3.2 

percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure decreased by $0.57. 

Two HDMP exhibits purchased in Denver were classified as MEX/BP with an average purity of 12.1 

percent and an average cost of $0.45 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average 

purity decreased by 1 percentage point, while the average price per milligram pure decreased by 

$0.67. Two exhibits were classified as MEX heroin with an average purity of 13.6 percent, while the 

average cost was $0.55 per milligram pure. 

Overall, Mexican-origin heroin exhibits purchased in Denver averaged 17.2 percent pure, while the 

average cost was $0.74 per milligram pure. Compared to the 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of 

Mexican-origin heroin in Denver decreased 2.4 percentage points, while the price per milligram pure 

of this heroin also decreased by $0.57. 

Detroit, Michigan 

In 2015, 33 qualified HDMP heroin exhibits were purchased in Detroit. Eleven of these exhibits were 

classified as INC-SA. The average purity of these heroin exhibits was 27.4 percent and the average 

price was $0.85 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity decreased by 17.1 

percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure increased by $0.48.

One SA exhibit was purchased in Detroit in 2015 and was analyzed at 19.5 percent pure and cost 

$0.64 per milligram pure. There were no SA exhibits purchased in 2014.

Nineteen heroin exhibits purchased in Detroit were classified as MEX-SA. These exhibits reflected an 

average purity of 49.4 percent and an average price of $0.40 per milligram pure. Two exhibits were 

classified as MEX heroin with an average purity of 5.8 percent and an average price of $4.03 per 

milligram pure. Mexican-origin heroin exhibits purchased in Detroit averaged 45.3 percent pure, while 

the average cost was $0.74 per milligram pure. 

Eight other HDMP exhibits purchased in Detroit in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 25.2 percent and cost an average of $1.00 per milligram pure. The 

average purity of these UNK signature exhibits decreased in 2015 by 6.4 percentage points, while the 

price per milligram pure increased by $0.19. 

Houston, Texas 

In 2015, 20 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in the Houston metropolitan area. MEX/T 

heroin accounted for 13 of the qualified HDMP purchases made in Houston. These exhibits averaged 

14.6 percent pure with an average cost per milligram pure of $2.41. Compared to the MEX/T heroin 
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exhibits purchased in 2014, purity increased by 2 percentage points, while the price decreased by 

$0.63 per milligram pure. 

Seven HDMP exhibits purchased in Houston were classified as MEX-SA with an average purity of 

18.1 percent and an average cost of $3.45 per milligram pure. 

Overall, Mexican-origin heroin exhibits purchased in Houston averaged 15.9 percent pure, while the 

average cost was $2.77 per milligram pure. Compared to the 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of 

Mexican-origin heroin in Houston decreased 1.3 percentage points, while the price per milligram pure 

of this heroin increased significantly by $2.03. 

Los Angeles, California 

In 2015, 40 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in Los Angeles. Thirty-eight exhibits were 

classified as MEX/T heroin. The purity of these exhibits averaged 21.6 percent, and the average 

price was $0.80 per milligram pure. Compared to the MEX/T heroin exhibits purchased in 2014, purity 

decreased by 5.2 percentage points, while the price increased by $0.09 per milligram pure. 

Two exhibits purchased in Los Angeles in 2015 were classified as MEX with an average purity of 30.9 

percent, and an average cost of $0.58 per milligram pure. 

Overall, the purity of Mexican-origin heroin exhibits purchased in Los Angeles in 2015 averaged 22.1 

percent, and the average cost was $0.79 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the 

average purity of Mexican-origin heroin exhibits in Los Angeles decreased 5.6 percentage points, 

while the price per milligram pure of Mexican-origin heroin increased by $0.18. 

Miami, Florida 

In 2015, 24 qualified HDMP heroin exhibits were purchased in the Miami area; 14 were classified as 

MEX-SA. The average purity of these exhibits was 28.3 percent with an average cost of $1.21 per 

milligram pure. Four exhibits were classified as MEX/BP heroin and were analyzed with an average 

purity of 9.4 percent and an average cost of $3.13 per milligram pure. Compared to the MEX/

BP heroin exhibits purchased in 2014, purity increased by 3.4 percentage points, while the price 

decreased by $3.29 per milligram pure. 

Overall, Mexican-origin heroin exhibits purchased in Miami averaged 24.1 percent pure, while the 

average cost was $1.64 per milligram pure. Compared to the 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of 

Mexican-origin heroin in Miami increased 6.9 percentage points, while the price per milligram pure of 

this heroin also increased by $0.90. 

Two exhibits purchased in 2015 in Miami were classified as SA heroin. These exhibits had an 

average purity of 34.4 percent and an average price of $0.66 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 

HDMP data, the average purity of SA heroin in Miami increased by 1.1 percentage points, while the 

average price per milligram pure decreased by $0.24. 

Four heroin exhibits purchased in Miami in 2015 were classified as INC-SA. These exhibits had an 

average purity of 32.2 percent and an average price of $1.10 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 

HDMP data, the average purity of INC-SA decreased by 2.9 percentage points, while the average 

price per milligram pure decreased by $0.72.

Two HDMP exhibits purchased in Miami in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. These exhibits 

had an average purity of 36.3 percent and cost an average of $0.89 per milligram pure. Compared to 

2014 HDMP data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits obtained in Miami increased by 16.4 

percentage points, and the price per milligram pure decreased by $2.40. 
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Newark, New Jersey

In 2015, 38 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in the Newark metropolitan area; 20 of these 

heroin exhibits were classified as MEX-SA with an average purity of 59.5 percent and an average cost 

of $0.77 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of the MEX-SA heroin 

exhibits increased by 2.3 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure increased by 

$0.41. 

Sixteen heroin exhibits purchased in Newark in 2015 were classified as INC-SA. These exhibits 

had an average purity of 41.3 percent and an average cost of $1.11 per milligram pure. Compared 

to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of INC-SA decreased by 15.7 percentage points, while the 

average price per milligram pure increased by $0.36. 

Two exhibits purchased in Newark in 2015 were classified as SA heroin with an average purity of 

47.7 percent and an average price of $0.83 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the 

average purity of the SA heroin exhibits obtained in Newark increased by 6.4 percentage points, while 

the average price per milligram pure decreased by $0.39. 

One other HDMP exhibit purchased in Newark in 2015 was classified as an UNK signature and 

was analyzed at 29.9 percent pure, and cost $0.98 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP

data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits obtained in Newark in 2015 decreased by 23.3 

percentage points, while the price per milligram pure increased by $0.47. 

New Orleans, Louisiana 

In 2015, 28 qualified HDMP heroin exhibits were purchased in the New Orleans metropolitan area; 

18 of these heroin exhibits were classified as MEX-SA with an average purity of 26.6 percent and an 

average cost of $2.16 per milligram pure. 

Ten heroin exhibits purchased in New Orleans in 2015 were classified as INC-SA with an average 

purity of 22.4 percent and an average cost of $1.83 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP

data, the average purity of INC-SA decreased by 1.8 percentage points, while the average price per 

milligram pure decreased by $0.23.

Six HDMP exhibits purchased in New Orleans in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 17.6 percent and cost an average of $1.75 per milligram pure. 

Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits obtained in New 

Orleans decreased by 4.6 percentage points, and the price per milligram pure increased by $0.25. 

New York, New York

New York City remains one of the most prominent heroin destination and distribution centers in the 

United States. Of the 55 qualified heroin exhibits purchased in New York City during 2015, 30 were 

classified as MEX-SA. The average purity of these exhibits was 48.6 percent with an average cost 

of $0.52 per milligram pure. One exhibit was classified as MEX/BP heroin and was analyzed at 6.2 

percent pure and cost $1.65 per milligram pure. Mexican-origin heroin exhibits purchased in New 

York averaged 47.2 percent pure, while the average cost was $0.56 per milligram pure. 

Sixteen heroin exhibits purchased in New York in 2015 were classified as INC-SA. These exhibits 

had an average purity of 29.9 percent and an average price of $1.22 per milligram pure. Compared 

to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of INC-SA decreased by 24 percentage points, while the 

average price per milligram pure remained at $0.72.
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Six HDMP heroin exhibits purchased in New York City in 2015 were classified as SA heroin. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 42.5 percent and an average price of $1.12 per milligram pure. 

Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of the SA heroin available in New York City 

increased by 4 percentage points and the average price per milligram pure increased by $0.33. 

Two SWA exhibits were purchased in New York in 2015 and these exhibits had an average purity 

of 23.6 percent and cost an average of $0.97 per milligram pure. There were no SWA exhibits 

purchased in 2014. 

Four HDMP exhibits purchased in New York in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 29.8 percent with an average cost of $1.62 per milligram pure. 

Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits obtained in New York 

decreased by 3.2 percentage points, and the price per milligram pure increased by $0.97. 

Orlando, Florida

Twelve qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in Orlando in 2015 and 11 of these heroin exhibits 

were classified as MEX-SA with an average purity of 38.9 percent and an average cost of $0.68 per 

milligram pure. 

One heroin exhibit purchased in Orlando in 2015 was classified as INC-SA and was analyzed at 35.1 

percent pure, and cost $0.53 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity 

of INC-SA increased by 13.1 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure decreased 

by $2.66. 

Three HDMP exhibits purchased in Orlando in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 35.7 percent and cost an average of $0.55 per milligram pure. 

Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits obtained in Orlando 

increased by 5.6 percentage points, and the price per milligram pure decreased by $0.83. 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In 2015, 40 qualified HDMP heroin exhibits were purchased in Philadelphia; 25 of these heroin 

exhibits were classified as MEX-SA and had an average purity of 76.1 percent and an average cost of 

$0.29 per milligram pure. 

Fifteen heroin exhibits purchased in Philadelphia in 2015 were classified as INC-SA. These exhibits 

had an average purity of 59.6 percent and an average price of $0.58 per milligram pure. Compared 

to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of INC-SA decreased by 7.4 percentage points, while the 

average price per milligram pure increased by $0.15. 

One HDMP exhibit purchased in Philadelphia in 2015 was classified as an UNK signature. This 

exhibit was analyzed at 51 percent pure, and cost $0.40 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 

HDMP data, the average purity of UNK signature decreased by 13.5 percentage points, while the 

price per milligram pure decreased by $0.03. 

Phoenix, Arizona 

In 2015, 40 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in Phoenix; 33 of these exhibits were classified 

as MEX/T heroin with an average purity of 20.2 percent and an average cost of $0.33 per milligram 

pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity decreased by 6.6 percentage points, while the 

average price per milligram pure decreased by $0.23. 
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Two HDMP exhibits purchased in Phoenix in 2015 were classified as MEX/BP with an average 

purity of 24 percent and an average cost of $1.80 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP

data, average purity increased by 2.5 percentage point, while the average price per milligram pure 

decreased by $1.43. Five other heroin exhibits were classified as MEX with an average purity of 15.9 

percent, and an average cost was $0.30 per milligram pure. 

Overall, Mexican-origin heroin exhibits purchased in Phoenix in 2015 averaged 19.9 percent pure, 

while the average cost was $0.40 per milligram pure. Compared to the 2014 HDMP data, the 

average purity of Mexican-origin heroin in Phoenix decreased 6.7 percentage points, while the price 

per milligram pure of this heroin also decreased by $0.15. 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

In 2015, a total of 17 qualified heroin exhibits were purchased in Pittsburgh; 11 of these heroin 

exhibits were classified as MEX-SA and had an average purity of 48.8 percent and an average cost of 

$1.17 per milligram pure. 

Six heroin exhibits purchased in Pittsburgh in 2015 were classified as INC-SA. These exhibits had 

an average purity of 62.2 percent and an average price of $0.97 per milligram pure. Compared 

to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of INC-SA heroin obtained in Pittsburgh increased by 7.1 

percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure increased by $0.09. 

Portland, Oregon 

In 2015, 16 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in Portland and all were classified as MEX/T 

heroin. These exhibits had an average purity of 25.4 percent and an average price of $0.67 per 

milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of Mexican-origin heroin in 

Portland increased by 0.6 percentage points and the average price decreased by $0.69 per milligram 

pure. 

Richmond, Virginia 

A total of 15 qualified HDMP heroin exhibits were purchased in Richmond in 2015. Eight of these 

heroin exhibits were classified as INC-SA with an average purity of 12.5 percent and an average 

price of $2.36 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity decreased by 2.4 

percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure decreased by $0.08.

Two exhibits purchased in Richmond in 2015 were classified as SA heroin. These exhibits had an 

average purity of 16.5 percent and an average price of $2.21 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 

HDMP data, the purity of the SA heroin exhibits obtained in Richmond increased 5.6 percentage 

points while the average price per milligram pure increased by $0.58. 

Four heroin exhibits purchased in Richmond in 2015 were classified as MEX-SA and had an 

average purity of 31 percent and an average cost of $1.19 per milligram pure. One exhibit obtained 

in Richmond was classified as MEX/BP and was analyzed at 1.2 percent pure, and cost $13.89 per 

milligram pure. The average purity of Mexican-origin heroin in Richmond was 25.1 percent, while the 

average cost was $3.73 per milligram pure. 

Two other HDMP exhibits purchased in Richmond in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. 

These exhibits had an average purity of 8.1 percent and cost an average of $5.69 per milligram pure. 

Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits obtained in Richmond 

decreased by 13.3 percentage points, and the price per milligram pure increased by $4.66. 
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San Antonio, Texas 

In 2015, 19 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in the San Antonio area; nine of these exhibits 

were classified as MEX/T heroin while two were classified as MEX/BP. The average purity of the 

MEX/T exhibits was 5.9 percent with an average cost of $1.65 per milligram pure. Compared to 

2014 HDMP data, average purity decreased by 1.9 percentage points, while the average price per 

milligram pure increased by $0.97. The average purity of the exhibits classified as MEX/BP was 5 

percent, while the average cost of these same exhibits was $1.51 per milligram pure. Compared to 

2014 HDMP data, average purity decreased by 2 percentage points, while the average price per 

milligram pure increased by $0.35. 

Four heroin exhibits purchased in the San Antonio area in 2015 were classified as MEX-SA. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 12.3 percent and an average cost of $1.36 per milligram pure. Two 

other exhibits were classified as MEX with an average purity of 4.6 percent, while the average cost 

was $0.95 per milligram pure. 

Overall, the average purity of Mexican-origin heroin in San Antonio was 6.9 percent, while the 

average cost was $1.48 per milligram pure. Compared to the 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of 

Mexican-origin heroin in San Antonio decreased 0.4 percentage points, while the price per milligram 

pure of Mexican-origin heroin increased by $0.50.

One HDMP exhibit purchased in San Antonio in 2015 was classified as an UNK signature and was 

analyzed at 9.5 percent pure, and cost $0.66 per milligram pure.

San Diego, California 

In 2015, 33 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in the San Diego metropolitan area. Twentynine of these exhibits were classified as MEX/T heroin with an average purity of 33.7 percent and an 

average cost of $0.37 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity increased 

by 0.8 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure increased by $0.12. 

Two HDMP exhibits purchased in San Diego in 2015 were classified as MEX/BP with an average 

purity of 39.4 percent and an average cost of $0.17 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP

data, average purity increased by 0.6 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure 

decreased by $0.11. Two other exhibits were classified as MEX with an average purity of 42.9 

percent and an average cost of $0.20 per milligram pure. 

Overall, the average purity of Mexican-origin heroin in San Diego was 34.6 percent, while the 

average cost was $0.34 per milligram pure. Compared to the 2014 HDMP data, the average purity 

of Mexican-origin heroin in San Diego increased 1.2 percentage points, while the price per milligram 

pure of Mexican-origin heroin increased by $0.08.

San Francisco, California 

In 2015, 39 qualified HDMP exhibits were purchased in the San Francisco metropolitan area; 21 

were classified as MEX/T heroin with an average purity of 9 percent and an average cost of $1.35 per 

milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity increased by 1.8 percentage points, 

while the average price per milligram pure increased by $0.10. 

Eight heroin exhibits obtained in San Francisco in 2015 were classified as MEX/BP with an average 

purity of 7.1 percent and an average cost of $0.59 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP

data, average purity decreased by 1.2 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure 

increased by $0.06.
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Ten exhibits purchased in San Francisco in 2015 were classified as MEX with an average purity 

of 3.5 percent, while the average cost was $1.24 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP

data, average purity increased by 1.5 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure 

increased by $0.48. 

Overall, Mexican-origin HDMP heroin exhibits obtained in San Francisco in 2015 averaged 7.2 

percent pure, while the average cost was $1.17 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 data, this 

represents a 0.1 percent decrease in average purity as well as a $0.18 increase in the price per 

milligram pure. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

In 2015, 33 qualified exhibits were purchased in San Juan under the HDMP; seven of these exhibits 

were classified as SA heroin with an average purity of 38.6 percent and an average cost of $1.83 

per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the purity of SA heroin available in San Juan 

increased by 22.7 percentage points and the average price per milligram pure increased by $0.53. 

Seventeen HDMP heroin exhibits purchased in San Juan in 2015 were classified as INC-SA. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 21.8 percent and an average price of $1.03 per milligram pure. 

Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity increased by 0.6 percentage points, while the average 

price per milligram pure decreased by $0.50.

Nine heroin exhibits purchased in San Juan in 2015 were classified as MEX-SA and had an average 

purity of 25.2 percent and an average cost of $2.18 per milligram pure.

Two other HDMP exhibits purchased in San Juan in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. 

These exhibits had an average purity of 5.2 percent and cost an average of $4.91 per milligram pure. 

Seattle, Washington 

In 2015, 34 qualified exhibits were purchased in Seattle under the HDMP and all but two of these 

exhibits were classified as MEX/T heroin. These exhibits had an average purity of 33.6 percent 

and cost an average of $0.57 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP data, average purity 

increased by 7.1 percentage points, while the average price per milligram pure decreased by $0.11.

Two heroin exhibits purchased in Seattle in 2015 were classified as MEX and had an average purity 

of 37 percent and an average cost of $0.15 per milligram pure. 

Overall, Mexican-origin HDMP heroin exhibits obtained in Seattle in 2015 averaged 33.8 percent 

pure, while the average cost was $0.54 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 data, this represents a 

7.3 percent increase in average purity as well as a $0.14 decrease in the price per milligram pure. 

St. Louis, Missouri

A total of 28 qualified HDMP heroin exhibits were purchased in St. Louis in 2015. Fifteen of these 

heroin exhibits were classified as MEX-SA and had an average purity of 36.5 percent and an average 

cost of $1.14 per milligram pure. 

Seven exhibits purchased in St. Louis in 2015 were classified as SA heroin with an average purity 

of 54.8 percent, while the average cost was $0.64 per milligram pure. There were no SA exhibits 

purchased in 2014. 

Six additional exhibits purchased in St. Louis in 2015 were classified as INC-SA. These exhibits 

had an average purity of 16 percent and an average price of $2.50 per milligram pure. Compared to 

2014 HDMP data, average purity decreased by 30.5 percentage points, while the average price per 

milligram pure increased by $1.97. 
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Six HDMP exhibits purchased in St. Louis in 2015 were classified as an UNK signature. These 

exhibits had an average purity of 20 percent and cost an average of $3.50 per milligram pure. 

Compared to 2014 HDMP data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits obtained in St. Louis 

decreased by 30.1 percentage points, and the price per milligram pure increased by $3.12. 

Washington, District of Columbia 

In 2015, 32 qualified exhibits were purchased in Washington, DC under the HDMP and 19 of these 

heroin exhibits were classified as MEX-SA with an average purity of 31.3 percent and an average 

cost of $0.96 per milligram pure. One SA heroin exhibit was purchased in Washington, DC in 2015 

and the purity of this exhibit was analyzed at 40.6 percent and cost $0.35 per milligram pure. 

Twelve heroin exhibits purchased in Washington, DC in 2015 were classified as INC-SA with an 

average purity of 24.1 percent pure, and an average price of $1.35 per milligram pure. Compared to 

2014 HDMP data, the average purity of heroin classified as INC-SA decreased by 12.4 percentage 

points, while the average price per milligram pure increased by $0.57. 

One other HDMP exhibit purchased in Washington, DC in 2015 was classified as an UNK signature 

and was analyzed at 51.8 percent pure, and cost $0.36 per milligram pure. Compared to 2014 HDMP

data, the average purity of UNK signature exhibits increased by 35 percentage points, and the price 

per milligram pure decreased by $1.84. 
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Figure 6: 2015 Heroin Counts, Purities, Origin, and City by Geographic Region: Mexican Origin Heroin.

MEX MEX/T MEX/BP MEX-SA

EAST

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

ATLANTA 23 63.6% $0.46

BALTIMORE 3 21.1 0.74

BOSTON 23 13.4 1.07

CHICAGO 11 13.5 1.00

DETROIT 2 5.8% $4.03 19 49.4 0.40

MIAMI 4 9.4% $3.13 14 28.3 1.21

NEW ORLEANS 18 26.6 2.16

NEW YORK 1 6.2 1.65 30 48.6 0.52

NEWARK 20 59.5 0.77

ORLANDO 11 38.9 0.68

PHILADELPHIA 25 76.1 0.29

PITTSBURGH 11 48.8 1.17

RICHMOND 1 12 13.89 4 31 1.19

SAN JUAN 9 25.2 2.18

WASHINGTON, DC 19 31.3 0.96

MEX MEX/T MEX/BP MEX-SA

WEST

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

ALBUQUERQUE 15 16.4% $0.58 2 16.6 $0.47

DALLAS 5 18% $1.67 10 19.9 1.01 23 8.5 0.82 1 9.8% $0.49

DENVER 2 13.6 0.55 36 17.6 0.77 2 12.1 0.45

HOUSTON 13 14.6 2.41 7 18.1 3.45

LOS ANGELES 2 30.9 0.58 38 21.6 0.80

PHOENIX 5 15.9 0.30 33 20.2 0.33 2 24 1.80

PORTLAND 16 25.4 0.67

SAN ANTONIO 2 4.6 0.95 9 5.9 1.65 4 5 1.51 4 12.3 1.36

SAN DIEGO 2 42.9 0.20 29 33.7 0.37 2 39.4 0.17

SAN FRANCISCO 10 3.5 1.24 21 9 1.35 8 7.1 0.59

SEATTLE 2 37 0.15 32 33.6 0.57

ST. LOUIS 15 36.5 1.14

TOTAL 32 14.8% $1.10 252 27.7% $0.80 49 10.2% $1.29 267 41.2% $0.97

Report Parameters: Only qualified exhibits are shown. January 1 to December 31, 2015 

Price Unit: Per milligram pure

Source: DEA
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Figure 7: 2015 Heroin Counts, Purities, Origin, and City by Geographic Region.

Southwest Asian Heroin South American Heroin InconclusiveOrigin-South 

American Processing

EAST

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

ATLANTA 7 58.2% $0.72 6 43% $1.80

BALTIMORE 1 9% $0.65 3 9.6 0.68 23 16.6 0.62

BOSTON 1 4.2 3.09 7 9.6 2.60

CHICAGO 3 11.6 0.46 19 12.1 0.87

DETROIT 1 19.5 0.64 11 27.4 0.85

MIAMI 2 34.4 0.66 4 32.2 1.10

NEW ORLEANS 10 22.4 1.83

NEW YORK 2 23.6 0.97 6 42.5 1.12 16 29.9 1.22

NEWARK 2 47.7 0.83 16 41.3 1.11

ORLANDO 1 35.1 0.53

PHILADELPHIA 15 59.6 0.58

PITTSBURGH 6 62.2 0.97

RICHMOND 2 16.5 2.21 8 12.5 2.36

SAN JUAN 7 38.6 1.83 17 21.8 1.03

WASHINGTON, DC 1 40.6 0.35 12 24.1 1.35

Report Parameters: Only qualified exhibits are shown. January 1 to December 31, 2015 

Price Unit: Per milligram pure

Source: DEA

Southwest Asian Heroin South American Heroin InconclusiveOrigin-South 

American Processing

EAST

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

ALBUQUERQUE

DALLAS 1 7.6% $0.73

DENVER

HOUSTON

LOS ANGELES

PHOENIX

PORTLAND

SAN ANTONIO

SAN DIEGO

SAN FRANCISCO

SEATTLE

ST. LOUIS 7 54.8% $0.64 6 16 2.50

TOTAL 3 18.7% $0.86 42 39.1% $1.05 178 27.5% $1.19
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Geo-Probes: Views from Additional Cities 

Since 2001, DEA has sponsored an initiative in the HDMP known as Geographical Probes, or GeoProbes. The goal of the Geo-Probes is to gain additional information about existing and emerging 

heroin markets in areas outside of the 27 designated HDMP cities. In order to accomplish this, DEA 

provides funds for additional heroin exhibit purchases in selected cities across the United States. 

Geo-Probe data, while important to identify emerging threats and market trends, are not calculated as 

part of the national average and are not compared against program-wide HDMP exhibits. 

In 2015, under the Geo-Probe Initiative, heroin purchases were made in the following areas: Santa 

Fe, New Mexico; Dayton, Ohio; Norfolk, Virginia; Roanoke, Virginia; and Winchester, Virginia. 

•	 A Geo-Probe conducted in Norfolk and Roanoke, Virginia in March 2015 resulted in the 

purchase of two heroin exhibits classified as MEX-SA and two heroin exhibits classified as 

INC-SA. The MEX-SA exhibits averaged 9.1 percent pure with a cost of $1.50 per milligram 

pure. The INC-SA exhibits averaged 27 percent pure with a cost of $2.62 per milligram pure. 

•	 In March 2015, a Geo-Probe conducted in Winchester, Virginia resulted in the purchase of two 

heroin exhibits classified as INC-SA. The INC-SA exhibits averaged 13.2 percent pure with a 

cost of $3.49 per milligram pure. 

•	 In June and September 2015, a Geo-Probe in Santa Fe, New Mexico resulted in the purchase 

of five heroin exhibits; four were classified as MEX/T and one was classified as MEX/BP. The 

MEX/T exhibits averaged 20.7 percent pure with a cost of $0.62 per milligram pure. The MEX/

BP exhibit was analyzed at 13.4 percent pure with a cost of $1.07 per milligram pure. 

•	 A Geo-Probe conducted in Dayton, Ohio in December 2015 resulted in the purchase of two 

heroin exhibits classified as MEX-SA and one heroin exhibit classified as INC-SA. The MEXSA exhibits averaged 56 percent pure with a cost of $0.33 per milligram pure. The INC-SA 

exhibit was analyzed at 52.4 percent pure with a cost of $0.68 per milligram pure. Two other 

exhibits purchased in Dayton, Ohio were analyzed as fentanyl, with purities of 1.4 percent pure 

and 3.9 percent pure, respectively.

2015 Summary of Findings 

2015 HDMP data indicate that Mexican-origin heroin was the predominant type of heroin available 

in U.S. retail drug markets. MEX-SA heroin availability has significantly increased in Eastern white 

powder markets historically supplied by Colombian traffickers since the mid-1990s, while MEX/T, 

MEX/BP, and MEX heroin continue to dominate markets west of the Mississippi. 

HDMP data also revealed that in 2015 heroin classified as INC-SA and SA were identified as the 

secondary types of heroin available primarily in U.S. retail markets east of the Mississippi River. 

Southwest Asian (SWA) heroin availability at the retail-level remains extremely limited and for the 

tenth consecutive year, no Southeast Asian (SEA) heroin exhibits were purchased under the HDMP 

during 2015. 

SFL1 advises that numerous adulterants present in HDMP heroin exhibits hinder the new signature 

protocols established by SFL1 in May 2015 therefore an origin determination could not be made 

for 22 percent of the 2015 exhibits. 2015 HDMP results reflect that the average purity of INC-SA 

heroin was only 27.5 percent. Extremely adulterated and diluted (low purity) heroin, such as that 

purchased at the retail level, is likely to generate this classification. SFL1 reports that the overlapping 
22

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DEA Headquarters

White House

Congress ONDCP

Intelligence Community State Department

Drug Researchers DEA Field Divisions

INTERPOL DOJ

State and Local Law Enforcement Other Federal Agencies

DOD

presence of common adulterants in SA, MEX-SA, and INC-SA heroin types indicates an elaborate but 

consistent cutting pattern for heroin distributed in Eastern and Midwestern retail markets. Regardless 

of origin (Mexico or South America), powder HDMP exhibits continue to identify an overwhelming use 

of other chemical compounds with heroin.

MEX-SA heroin (Mexican white powder heroin) with an average purity of 41.2 percent maintains the 

highest overall average retail purity of all the geo-sourced heroin analyzed under the HDMP in 2015, 

followed by SA heroin with an average retail purity of 39.1 percent. 

The HDMP data from 2009 compared against 2015 data reflected a 69.6 percent decrease in heroin 

exhibits whose signature was classified as UNK by the SFL1. In 2009, 161 HDMP exhibits were 

classified as UNK, while in 2015, that number dropped to 49. This decrease is due in large part to 

the new forensic protocols introduced by SFL1 in May 2015. These protocols allow chemists to better 

differentiate and isolate the origin of heroin exhibits previously classified as UNK to either Mexico or 

South America. 

HDMP Consumers 

The HDMP is the sole U.S. Government source of data on the origin, price, and purity of heroin 

available on the streets of the United States and, as such, is an important assessment and trending 

tool for DEA, other Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, drug policymakers, and drug 

abuse researchers throughout the nation. The HDMP results are frequently included in intelligence 

and investigative reports designed to identify trends and inform DEA, other government agencies, 

Congress, and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) about the U.S. 

situation. The HDMP remains a valuable indicator of trends in the retail market, and when used in 

conjunction with other information, provides DEA with an overall, long-term assessment of retail-level 

heroin trafficking in the United States. 

Figure 8: Heroin Exhibits: Origins and Purities

Source: DEA
23

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APPENDIX A: Heroin Domestic Monitor Program Results 2000-2015
24

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Mexican Heroin Mexican Tar Heroin Mexican Brown Powder 

Heroin

Mexican South American 

Heroin

EAST

Number 

of 

Samples

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Samples

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Samples

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Samples

Purity Price

ATLANTA

BALTIMORE

BOSTON

CHICAGO

DETROIT 1 5.7% $1.43

MIAMI 1 1.9% $11.96 2 6 6.42

NEW ORLEANS 2 1.3 13.61 1 8.1 1.06

NEW YORK

NEWARK 1 57.2% $0.36

ORLANDO

PHILADELPHIA

PITTSBURGH

RICHMOND

SAN JUAN

WASHINGTON, DC 1 8.7 1.04

(U) Appendix B: 2014 Heroin Counts, Purities, Prices, Origin, and City 

by Geographic Region: Mexican Origin Heroin. 

Mexican Heroin Mexican Tar Heroin Mexican Brown Powder 

Heroin

Mexican South American 

Heroin

WEST

Number 

of 

Samples

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Samples

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Samples

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Samples

Purity Price

ALBUQUERQUE 18 19.1% $0.48 2 17.1% $0.36

DALLAS 20 25.1 1.80 6 7.3 0.56

DENVER 27 20.8 1.34 5 13.1 1.16

HOUSTON 17 12.6 3.04

LOS ANGELES 22 26.8 0.71 6 30.7 0.24

PHOENIX 29 26.8 0.56 1 21.6 0.37

PORTLAND 19 24.8 1.36

SAN ANTONIO 7 7.8 0.68 12 7 1.16

SAN DIEGO 29 32.9 0.25 3 38.8 0.28

SAN FRANCISCO 1 17 7.2 1.25 9 8.3 0.53

SEATTLE 28 26.5 0.68

ST. LOUIS

TOTAL 4 1.6% $9.98 233 22.9% $1.04 49 13.5% $0.97 1 57.2% $0.36

Report Parameters: Only qualified exhibits are shown. January 1 to December 31, 2014 

Price Unit: Per milligram pure

Source: DEA
25

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UNCLASSIFIED

Report Parameters: Only qualified exhibits are shown. January 1 to December 31, 2014 

Price Unit: Per milligram pure

Source: DEA

Appendix B Continued: 2014 Heroin Counts, Purities, Origin, and City by Geographic Region.

Southwest Asian Heroin South American Heroin InconclusiveOrigin-South 

American Processing

EAST

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

ALBUQUERQUE

DALLAS

DENVER

HOUSTON

LOS ANGELES 1 87.9% 0.10

PHOENIX

PORTLAND

SAN ANTONIO

SAN DIEGO

SAN FRANCISCO

SEATTLE

ST. LOUIS 24 46.5 0.53

TOTAL 1 16% $1.06 34 31.1% $1.03 303 38% $1.07

Southwest Asian Heroin South American Heroin InconclusiveOrigin-South 

American Processing

EAST

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

ATLANTA 14 42.6% $1.81

BALTIMORE 24 12.9 0.67

BOSTON 19 19.5 1.12

CHICAGO 14 11 0.48

DETROIT 18 44.5 0.37

MIAMI 4 33.3% $0.90 19 35.1 1.82

NEW ORLEANS 18 24.2 2.06

NEW YORK 10 38.5 0.79 40 53.9 0.72

NEWARK 4 41.3 1.22 24 57 0.75

ORLANDO 1 40.2 0.62 10 22 3.19

PHILADELPHIA 2 65.3 0.46 22 67 0.43

PITTSBURGH 10 55.1 1.06

RICHMOND 1 10.9 1.58 11 14.9 2.44

SAN JUAN 12 15.9 1.30 16 21.2 1.53

WASHINGTON, DC 1 16.2% $1.06 19 36.5 0.78

Appendix B: 2014 Heroin Counts, Purities, Prices, Origin, and 

City by Geographic Region.
26

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Appendix C Continued: 2013 Heroin Counts, Purities, Origin, and City by Geographic Region 

Mexican Origin Heroin.

SOUTHWEST ASIAN 

HEROIN

SOUTH AMERICAN 

HEROIN MEXICAN HEROIN ALLEGED MEXICAN WHITE HEROIN

WEST

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

ALBUQUERQUE 14 17.8% $0.65

DALLAS 34 12.1 0.61

DENVER 33 22 1.40

HOUSTON 1 89% $0.37 20 3.5 3.58

LOS ANGELES 34 25.2 0.42

PHOENIX 28 26.4 0.58

PORTLAND 20 16.9 1.65

SAN ANTONIO 20 7.1 0.91

SAN DIEGO 30 26.4 0.69

SAN FRANCISCO 31 5.2 1.29

SEATTLE 26 15.6 1.14

ST. LOUIS 24 46.8 1.02 7 40.4% $0.62

TOTAL 8 23% $1.23 334 35.1% $1.04 293 16.9% $1.12 64 35.5% $1.21

Report Parameters: Only qualified exhibits are shown. January 1 to December 31, 2015 

Price Unit: Per milligram pure

Source: DEA

SOUTHWEST ASIAN 

HEROIN

SOUTH AMERICAN 

HEROIN MEXICAN HEROIN ALLEGED MEXICAN WHITE HEROIN

EAST

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

Number 

of 

Exhibits

Purity Price

ATLANTA 17 38.4% $1.34 7 55.2% $0.56

BALTIMORE 1 2% $2.17 23 13.7 0.67 4 30.6 0.60

BOSTON 1 17.4 0.34 23 20.5 0.80 1 18.1 0.64

CHICAGO 23 16.4 0.72 5 24.8 0.45

DETROIT 22 40.3 0.77 9 39.2 0.74

MIAMI 16 21.9 2.17 2 14.3% $2.87 5 9 4.29

NEW ORLEANS 17 33.1 1.63 6 28.9 2.52

NEW YORK 43 43.3 0.73 1 29.8 2.40 2 78.1 0.36

NEWARK 29 57.9 1.01 2 66.8 0.37

ORLANDO 11 25.8 1.34 7 20.7 1.50

PHILADELPHIA 23 64.8 0.50 2 48.1 0.97

PITTSBURGH 15 47.8 1.03 1 74.2 0.59

RICHMOND 12 20.5 1.46 1 10.2 3.06 3 17.5 1.39

SAN JUAN 19 13.4 1.70

WASHINGTON, DC 6 27.4 1.22 16 22 1.04 3 36.8 0.64

Appendix C: 2013 Heroin Counts, Purities, Prices, Origin, and City 

by Geographic Region.
27

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APPENDIX D: DEFINITIONS

Adulterant: A pharmacologically active substance that is added to heroin to enhance or mimic the 

effect of heroin. Adulterants can be added to heroin shipments immediately after production, in 

transit, or prior to distribution. While dextromethorphan for Southwest Asian heroin and diltiazem 

for South American heroin are examples of adulterants that are added immediately after production, 

xylazine for Puerto Rico and quinine for Washington, DC-Baltimore are examples for city-specific 

adulteration prior to distribution. 

Diluent: An inert ingredient (pharmacologically inactive compound) used to increase the bulk of a 

finished product. Typical diluents are sugars, starches, and inorganic salts. 

Heroin Signature Analysis: A program developed by the DEA to identify the geographic source 

area of a heroin exhibit. Heroin signature analysis is based on an exhaustive chemical profile of 

authentic exhibits acquired from each of the four major heroin source areas: South America, Mexico, 

Southeast Asia, and Southwest Asia. 

Heroin Signature Classification: The result of heroin signature analysis. Origin classifications 

currently defined include Mexican (MEX), Mexican Tar (MEX/T), Mexican Brown Powder (MEX/BP), 

Mexican South American (MEX-SA), South America (SA), Inconclusive South America (INC-SA where 

Mexico or South America could be the origin), Southeast Asia (SEA), and Southwest Asia (SWA) 

heroin. Exhibits meeting these classifications are referred to as “qualified exhibits.” 

Insufficient Weight: An exhibit of heroin that is too small for signature analysis. Generally, an 

exhibit should weigh at least 1 gram net, including diluents and adulterants. This amount ensures at 

least 150 milligrams of pure heroin are available for signature analysis. 

Net Weight: The total weight of the heroin exhibit, including diluents and adulterants, excluding its 

packaging. 

Price per milligram pure: The price of the exhibit divided by the pure weight, expressed in 

milligrams. Price per milligram pure provides a constant in the price of exhibits of differing weights 

and purity so they can be compared. 

Pure Weight: The weight of pure heroin is determined by multiplying the purity of an exhibit by its net 

weight. 

Purity: The amount of heroin present in the exhibit compared to all other substances. Purity is 

expressed as a percent. 

Qualified Exhibit: A heroin exhibit for which price, purity and geographic source data can be 

determined. 

Unknown: A heroin exhibit analyzed by SFL1, but for which the results of the analysis do not match 

with authentic profiles of any known source region (refer to Heroin Signature Classification)

(U) This product was prepared by the DEA Intelligence Programs Section. Comments and 

questions may be addressed to the Chief, Analysis and Production Section at dea.onsi@usdoj.gov. 

For media/press inquiries call (202) 307-7977.