The well-organized operation did everything from converting methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine to distributing it in Honolulu, said Sidney Hayakawa of the Drug Enforcement Administration here.

From chemists to cooks and couriers, "this organization had the capability to do a full lab and convert meth into 'ice,'" Hayakawa said yesterday. "Normally you find smugglers bring meth here and convert here."

Eight Honolulu residents have been named in a federal indictment charging 14 people with conspiring to manufacture and distribute crystal meth between Bakersfield, Calif., and Honolulu.

The investigation began after a clandestine drug lab in a Bakersfield apartment exploded into flames June 20, seriously injuring one of the occupants.

Recovered from the wreckage were chemicals and glassware, including 17 pounds of crystal meth and six pounds of methamphetamine that apparently was to be converted into the crystal form, said William L. Shipley, assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California.

The estimated street value was more than $1 million, the largest amount seized in the Eastern District, Shipley said.

"We've seen powder labs before," he said. But "crystal meth labs are relatively rare in California."

Bakersfield police and DEA agents believe the defendants operated a conversion lab from December 1993 until July 1996 in Kern County.

On numerous trips to Honolulu by couriers, officials estimate at least 50 kilograms of crystal meth made its way here and was sold in small amounts, Hayakawa said. The distribution apparently was centered here.

Officers from the Honolulu police narcotics detail and Honolulu DEA agents searched seven locations in Honolulu on Friday, including the Waterfront offices of Progressive Internet Services, formed by several of the Honolulu individuals.

That company was formed shortly after Cal-Pac Enterprises, an import-export company they had founded with offices at 500 Ala Moana, went defunct after the lab exploded in Bakersfield, Shipley said.

Six of the Honolulu residents were arrested Friday. All face up to life imprisonment and a $4 million fine.

Named in the indictment were:

Ferdinand Corcino, 29, and Thomas Blaquera Torres, 30, both of South Street, Kakaako.

Richard Maldanado, 29, of Honolulu.

Wendell Nacapuy, 29, of Pio Place, Kalihi.

Arlene Sacoco Domingo, 27, of Meyers Street, Kalihi.

Rodel Calumpit, 28, of Ahiahi Street, Kapalama.

Absalon Bolosan Amodo Jr., 28, of Salt Lake.

Michael Kawewehi, 29, of Honolulu.

Exzur Alejo, now of Richgrove, Calif., and Nacapuy are believed to have fled to the Philippines. McClintock and Chapman are sought in California.