News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2004

Deputy Administrator Michele Leonhart Announces Sharing of $2.75 Million in Forfeited Assets
Local State and County Agencies to Benefit

June 1--Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Michele Leonheart together with U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, presented equitable sharing checks to state and local law enforcement agencies that participated in a significant precursor chemical prosecution against Custom Lab Supply located in Oakland, California. In combating the methamphetamine epidemic in California's Central Valley, local, state, and federal enforcement agencies designed a strategy to target commercial suppliers of chemicals and equipment used in the production of methamphetamine. The investigation ultimately led to Custom Lab, which was found to be responsible for over 50% of cash sales of such chemicals and equipment.

The checks, which together represent more than $2.75 million in funds forfeited to the United States in connection with the prosecution, were distributed to: The Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency, Sacramento Police Department, California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement and the California Highway Patrol.

Representatives of state and local agencies present at the asset-sharing ceremony included: Stanislaus County Sheriff Les Weidman, Sacramento Police Chief Albert Najera, Assistant Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol Mike Nivens, and the Chief of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement John Gaines.

Dawn Mertz, Supervising Special Agent Fresno Office, IRS/CID; Michael Niven, Assistant Commissioner Field, California Highway Patrol; Carol Shipley, Assistant District Attorney Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office, Stanislaus, CA; Stephen Delgado, SAC, San Francisco Field Division; Michele Leonhart, Deputy Administrator, DEA; McGregor Scott, United States Attorney, Eastern District of California; Les Weidman, Sheriff, Stanislaus County, CA; Albert Najera, Chief, Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento, CA; Paul Seave, Former United States Attorney, Eastern District of California; John Gaines, Chief, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement(BNE), California Department of Justice(DOJ)