March 4, 1999
To All Recipients of the Guidelines Manual:
It has come to the Commission's attention that three editions of the Guidelines Manual (namely, the editions effective May 1, 1997, November 1, 1997, and November 1, 1998) contain an error in the quantity references for two precursor chemicals, Isosafrole and Safrole, in the Chemical Quantity Table found in §2D1.11, the guideline covering unlawfully distributing, importing, exporting, or possessing a listed chemical. At base offense levels 12 and 14 in the Chemical Quantity Table in §2D1.11, the Commission inadvertently listed the quantity levels for Isosafrole and Safrole in grams (indicated by the symbol "G") rather than in kilograms (which would have been indicated by the symbol "KG"). The error first appeared in Amendment 541 to the Guidelines Manual, effective May 1, 1997, and was repeated in the November 1, 1997 and November 1, 1998 editions. The Commission intends to correct this error in the Guidelines Manual as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, you should make note of this inadvertent error in your copies of the affected editions of the Guidelines Manual. Specifically:
• The line referenced to "Isosafrole" should read: "At least 1.44 KG but less than 1.92 KG of Isosafrole;".
• The line referenced to "Safrole" should read: "At least 1.44 KG but less than 1.92 KG of Safrole;".
• The line referenced to "Isosafrole" should read: "Less than 1.44 KG of Isosafrole;".
• The line referenced to "Safrole" should read: "Less than 1.44 KG of Safrole;".
The Commission has reviewed its files in order to determine whether any particular case was affected by this error and has found none. However, if you are aware of any affected case (particularly a case for which the Commission may not have received complete documentation), we urge you to immediately notify the Commission, the court, and the parties involved so that appropriate corrective action may be taken.
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
John R. Steer
General Counsel