Opinion ID: 629121
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Choice of Ratio

Text: 23 The manufacture of methamphetamine involves a reaction of phenylacetic acid (P2P) and methylamine. There are various methods of conducting this reaction and various ratios of the precursor chemicals may be used. The different methods and different ratios yield different amounts and different qualities of methamphetamine. Before it could determine the amount of methamphetamine attributable to Bloomer, the district court therefore needed to choose both a method of manufacturing methamphetamine and a ratio of precursor chemicals involved. 24 Regarding the method of manufacturing methamphetamine, Bloomer's expert, Dr. Brown, gave testimony concerning the Ogato method of methamphetamine production. In discussing the appropriate ratio to use, he contended that it would be best to use either a 10-to-1 ratio or a 5-to-1 ratio of P2P to methylamine. He calculated that using the Ogato method, a 10-to-1 ratio would yield 194 grams of methamphetamine, whereas a ratio of 5-to-1 would yield 388 grams of methamphetamine. 25 The government's expert, Jack Fasanello, gave testimony regarding the aluminum amalgam method of manufacturing methamphetamine. Fasanello testified that this method was used in 70% to 80% of the clandestine labs that the DEA investigated on the east coast. Fasanello claimed that in his experience the most common ratio used on the street was 2-to-1. Using the aluminum amalgam method and a 2-to-1 ratio Fasanello opined that, conservatively, Bloomer could have produced 3 to 4 pounds of methamphetamine from the chemicals that he ordered. 26 After hearing Fasanello and Dr. Brown's testimony, the district court chose the aluminum amalgam method and the 10-to-1 ratio. Dr. Brown had testified that this method and this ratio would yield 504 grams of methamphetamine. 27 On cross-appeal the government argues that the district court erred in choosing the 10-to-1 ratio. We recognize that the district court, in choosing a ratio, could accept the testimony of either expert. See Jacobo, 934 F.2d at 417 (the court is to ... make its own assessments as to the weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses.). The district court, however, relied in part on incorrect information in deciding to accept the calculations of Bloomer's expert. The district court held that [a] ratio between methamphetamine and P2P of 10-to-1 is preferred, not only because it makes a cleaner product, but also because it has a greater yield, and therefore is cheaper to manufacture. Both Dr. Brown's testimony and his calculations indicate that the 5-to-1 ratio yields the higher quantity of methamphetamine. Although the district court may still choose the 10-to-1 ratio, in resentencing Bloomer it should consider that Dr. Brown has testified that such ratio would actually lead to a smaller quantity of methamphetamine being produced than a 5-to-1 ratio.