Man accused over crystal meth has trial date set

Published on 21/07/2012 12:00

A MAN accused of exporting chemicals used to make the deadly drug crystal meth is set to face trial in September after being extradited to the US.

Brian Howes, 48, will remain in custody on suspicion of 82 drug-related crimes pending the trial.

Howes, from Bo’ness, West Lothian, arrived in Arizona yesterday after losing his appeal to the Supreme Court in London against extradition last month.

His estranged wife, Kerry Anne, 34, also lost her appeal and still faces being sent to 
Arizona. The indictment against the couple states that the internet company run by Howes offered “discreet delivery” of the chemicals used to make crystal meth and purposely misidentified the contents of the shipments to avoid detection.

According to the indictment, investigators obtained e-mails from customers that allegedly pointed out the illegal nature of the chemical sales.

Howes faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, federal prosecutors said.