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.