News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2006
Contact: Casey McEnry
Number: 415-436-7994

Operators of Chemical Supply Company Sentenced in Scheme to Distribute Chemicals Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine
Defendants Sold Thousands of Pounds of Chemicals that Would be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine

OAKLAND – United States Attorney Kevin V. Ryan announced that David Conkey, 62, and Carol Conkey, 60, both of San Ramon, California, were sentenced today for their role in distributing chemicals that they had reasonable cause to believe would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Senior U.S. District Judge D. Lowell Jensen sentenced Mr. Conkey to 1 year in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Ms. Conkey was sentenced to three years of probation. These sentences are the result of an investigation by agents of the California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, DEA, IRS, and the Concord Police Department.

Mr. and Ms. Conkey were convicted for operating Alpha Chemical Supply, which from 1992 to 2001, distributed thousands of pounds of hydriodic acid, red phosphorous, and iodine. The jury found that Mr. and Ms. Conkey knew or had reasonable cause to believe that the chemicals would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.

“ Unfortunately, the ingredients required to make methamphetamine is not a secret. Regrettably, these individuals knew the ingredients and sold them to drug dealers, who in return used them to a make a toxic drug which has proven to be deadly. Their role in this horrible cycle cannot be denied, and today justice was served,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña.

This conviction is one in a series of civil and criminal charges brought against chemical supply companies in Northern California for selling chemicals and/or equipment knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the items would be used to manufacture controlled substances. The other companies include Custom Laboratory Supply, CFRI (Chemicals for Research and Industry), and All Discount Laboratory Supply. Custom Laboratory Supply was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, and the defendants received sentences between ten and twenty four years. The defendants associated with All Discount Laboratory Supply were convicted for possessing and distributing chemicals and equipment that they had reasonable cause to believe would be used to manufacture over 80 tons of methamphetamine.

On March 22, 2005, David Conkey was convicted of the following counts:

• 2 counts of conspiracy to distribute iodine and red phosphorous knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine;
• 1 count of possession and distribution of iodine knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine; and
• 1 count of money laundering.

Also on March 22, 2005, Carol Conkey was convicted of the following counts:

• 2 counts of conspiracy to distribute iodine and red phosphorous knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine;
• 8 counts of possession and distribution of red phosphorous and iodine knowing, intending, or having reasonable cause to believe that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Mr. and Ms. Conkey were indicted by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment on August 12, 2004.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of California. All press inquires should be directed to SA Casey McEnry at 415-436-7994.