---
category: Private Organization
summary: Meridian International Logistics was a holding company associated with Robert
  Booth Nichols, who was a principal in the organization.
tags:
- Organization
- Company
- FBI
- TheOctopus
- DrugTrafficking
---

[MIL](/organizations/meridian-international-logistics/) was a holding company associated with [Robert Booth Nichols](/people/robert-booth-nichols/), who was a principal in the organization. It was under investigation by the [FBI](/organizations/federal-bureau-of-investigation/) as a suspected "source of funding for the purchasing of narcotics/controlled substances and the allocation and use of the proceeds from its trafficking."[1]

Reportedly, [MIL](/organizations/meridian-international-logistics/) functioned as a [NSC](/organizations/national-security-council/) cutout, used for the purpose of "funneling money to pay the board of directors." A friend of Nichols, who was once on the board, explained that the [NSC](/organizations/national-security-council/) operates as a "profit-making entity" with unlimited funding and no accountability due to national security considerations. This individual further stated that all covert business conducted at that time related to "money and/or drugs," with drugs serving as international currency, often referred to as "gold," due to the high market demand and profitability.[1]

[Eugene Giaquinto](/people/eugene-giaquinto/), then president of [MCA](/organizations/music-corporation-of-america/) home entertainment division, was a board member of [MIL](/organizations/meridian-international-logistics/). Both Giaquinto and Nichols reportedly maintained a close working relationship with the [Justice Department](/organizations/department-of-justice/), according to wiretaps.[1]

[Michael Riconosciuto](/people/michael-riconosciuto/) was also associated with [MIL](/organizations/meridian-international-logistics/), serving as Vice President of Meridian Arms, a subsidiary of [MIL](/organizations/meridian-international-logistics/). He claimed that [Robert Booth Nichols](/people/robert-booth-nichols/) was under [Harold Okimoto](/people/harold-okimoto/) from the Hawaiian Islands, who was represented as an intelligence person and had worked under [Frank Carlucci](/people/frank-carlucci/) for years.[1]

---

[1] Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.