MARLIN, Texas — Shrieve Chemical Company, LLC has reportedly agreed to pay $300,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated provisions of the Controlled Substances Act, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stated diversion investigators conducted an on-site inspection of a Shrieve Chemical facility in Marlin, Texas in December 2022.
After the inspections, the DEA said investigators alleged that Shrieve Chemical "violated certain regulatory recordkeeping requirements relating to the importation and distribution" of manufactured gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) by repackaging and relabeling without registering as a manufacturer; and made a drop shipment of GBL to a customer without first importing the chemical to Shrieve Chemical’s registered location.
“Companies must be vigilant in following rules meant to ensure that precursor chemicals do not fall into the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “My office will continue to investigate and pursue alleged violations involving listed chemicals, even absent evidence of diversion or misuse, to protect the community.”
“The accountability of these chemicals is instrumental in ensuring the safety of our citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux for the DEA Houston Division. “Too often these chemicals are used for the purpose of manufacturing harmful illegal drugs that end up in our communities and neighborhoods.”
The DEA’s San Antonio District Office Diversion Control Unit led the investigation, according to the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Parnham and Erin Van De Walle reportedly negotiated the settlement on behalf of the government.
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