DEA Seizes 3 Firms Alleged to Be Major Suppliers for Drug Makers

Federal agents seized three chemical supply plants in San Diego and Los Angeles counties on Friday, shutting down what they believe to be the “granddaddy” provider of chemicals and equipment to more than 2,000 methamphetamine labs throughout the country.

The plants, run by Robert J. Miskinis, were seized by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that Miskinis has knowingly sold large quantities of chemicals and equipment to illegal methamphetamine manufacturers.

The agents searched and seized three firms, including RJM Labs in Lakeside, Safe Laboratories Inc. in Santee and RJM Labs in North Hollywood, as well as Miskinis’ home in El Cajon and two vacant properties in Santee and La Mesa.

Miskinis, a convicted drug dealer, has not been charged in the investigation. He remained in his home Friday afternoon and declined to talk to reporters.

Major Supplier

“A great deal of the methamphetamine problem in San Diego can be placed at the doorstep of RJM Labs,” said Charles E. Hill, special agent in charge of the DEA in San Diego. “People who supply clandestine laboratories with all the chemicals and glassware are secondary profiteers of drug traffickers. They don’t sell dope to people, but they profit from drug traffickers’ sales.”

Miskinis, a 38-year-old former UCLA chemistry student, made headlines last year when he hired a lobbyist in Sacramento to delay strict new reporting requirements on chemicals used to make methamphetamine. However the six-month reporting delay was later rejected when Miskinis’ background was revealed.

In 1980, Miskinis was convicted in Los Angeles of manufacturing methamphetamine, also known as speed. After serving two months in jail he was placed on probation, according to DEA spokesman Ron D’Ulisse.

Affidavits Filed

In the current investigation, federal agents recently filed two separate affidavits with federal courts in San Diego and Los Angeles in support of seizing Miskinis’ property.

Although the affidavits remained sealed by court order, D’Ulisse said the court papers basically lay out the agency’s contention that Miskinis over the years has knowingly supplied chemicals and equipment, such as glass pots and special patented bottle tops that are used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

“This is the granddaddy of them all,” D’Ulisse said. “He has a very wide reputation of providing everything you need. He’s a millionaire and his revenues were in the multimillions each year.”

The RJM Lab in Lakeside was filled with chemical bottles and large vats of chemical mixtures. There were also large drums and glass bottles, including one 200-liter glass drum shaped like a hot tub that was placed in the front of the store.

Tons of Product

Federal agents said there were enough chemicals in that plant alone to make in excess of 50 tons of methamphetamine.

D’Ulisse said federal officials believe that since 1982, Miskinis’ operations have provided supplies to more than 2,000 illegal methamphetamine labs throughout the country, including ventures in Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey and Washington state.

Much of the evidence obtained in Friday’s seizure will be turned over to federal grand juries in the weeks ahead, D’Ulisse said.

Like a Loaded Gun

He added that before any charges can be brought against Miskinis, officials first must be able to show that he knowingly provided the supplies for an illegal enterprise. He described it as being similar to giving a gun to a friend when you know the gun is going to be used to shoot someone.

“That’s why this is taking so long,” he said. “We have to have testimony from witnesses and others to show beyond a reasonable doubt that he knew what he was doing.”

With Friday’s action, federal agents have put a total of six chemical supply firms out of business in Southern California in the last few months. Most recently, federal agents seized the business records in May of a Carlsbad chemical company known as Quantum Labs and its satellite offices in Orange and Riverside counties.