Pubdate: 9 Mar 1999 Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Fresno Bee Contact: http://www.fresnobee.com/ Section: Local News Author: Jerry Bier, The Fresno Bee FRESNAN FACES MORE DRUG CHARGES PROSECUTORS ADD CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE A Fresno man has been named in a federal indictment charging him with conspiring with people in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to ship chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. Nazmi David Ayesh, 44, pleaded innocent Friday to two felony counts charging him with illegally possessing pseudoephedrine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen A. Servatius, who is prosecuting the case, said Customs investigators found that a couple in the Virgin Islands ordered pseudoephedrine from Worldwide Wholesale Inc. in Little Rock, Ark. The tablets were then shipped to Puerto Rico, violating U.S. Customs laws. Once in Puerto Rico, the tablets were repackaged and shipped to Ayesh's residence in Fresno, Servatius said. A 1996 federal law requires monthly reporting to the Drug Enforcement Administration of those who purchase pseudoephedrine in the United States. Prosecutors said Ayesh undermined the law in the manner in which his tablets were bought and shipped. U.S. Attorney Paul L. Seave said the government will go after those who sell chemicals to enable methamphetamine production. "These chemical dealers can no longer turn a blind eye to the methampheta-mine their customers are producing, while enjoying handsome profits," Seave said. The investigation discovered two illegal shipments, on Dec. 7 and on Feb. 16, which were repackaged in Puerto Rico and shipped to Fresno, Servatius said. Ayesh is facing a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine of $250,000. - --- MAP posted-by: Mike Gogulski