Ben Kalka

Ben Kalka was a figure in the San Francisco drug world, initially a "bit player" who later became a major supplier of methamphetamine. He was arrested in 1982 with 900 pounds of methamphetamine in his possession and was serving time in a Pleasanton prison. Kalka's arrest was part of a federal sting operation, though he claimed the sting had ended by the time he began manufacturing the drug.¹

Methamphetamine Production and Government Involvement

Kalka estimated he produced 8,000 pounds of drugs worth $10 million, using ingredients that federal agents had allegedly arranged for him to buy. He became involved in methamphetamine production after a chemist friend asked him to find phenyl acetic acid, a key precursor. Despite the chemical not being illegal, its purchase was scrutinized by the government. A contact, Paul Palmer, who had become a government informant after being busted for selling precursors, arranged for Kalka to obtain a semi-truck load of the chemical.¹

Michael Riconosciuto was introduced to Kalka by Palmer and helped Kalka find monomethylamine, the last ingredient needed for methamphetamine. Riconosciuto claimed he was working for the FBI as part of the sting operation and was authorized to supply Kalka with the final ingredient. The plan to bust Kalka and his subordinates reportedly failed when Kalka diverted the truck carrying the chemicals away from federal agents. Kalka wondered why the FBI did not track him down once the methamphetamine began hitting the streets, suggesting the agency stumbled upon his enterprise during another undercover operation.¹

Kalka was released from prison in April 2000 after his lawyer, Chris Cannon, struck a deal that overturned his sentence, contingent upon Kalka signing a letter stating he did not obtain his precursors from the U.S. government. This letter was reportedly written by William Shockley, a U.S. Attorney in San Francisco, and found by Detective Sue Todd in the Di Giorgio Extradition File.¹

Connections and Allegations

Kalka's business ties with Michael Riconosciuto at R & R Research and the laboratory facilities at Hercules, California, were documented in David Mayer's attorney/client files. Dr. John Philip Nichols, administrator at the Cabazon Indian Reservation, also met with Riconosciuto at the Hercules plant. Investigators uncovered evidence of a chemical or drug operation at the Hercules plant that contaminated the entire property.¹

Kalka was close to Al Holbert, a former Israeli intelligence agent, and Paul Morasca, who was murdered in San Francisco during the time these sting operations were underway. Sue Todd concluded that Kalka was an undercover operative and that the entire drug operation was sanctioned by the U.S. government, as Kalka had been arrested multiple times, but the FBI always took possession of him away from the arresting officers.¹

Michael Riconosciuto claimed that the precursors Kalka used were provided by the U.S. government and that a chemical company was cooperating with the FBI by reporting all chemicals Riconosciuto ordered for his companies, which he then provided to Kalka. The money from these operations was reportedly laundered through Liechtenstein and other countries.¹