It is fair to conclude that the DEA has made the rounds at the photo chem shops and advised them that much of the KI they sell is being diverted to non-photographic purposes. A supplier I'd purchased supplies from for several years put a hold on my last order of supplies because they included a chemical that might be used by someone for improper, non-photographic type purposes and they had just been advised by the DEA that they had been the supplier of a large illegal drug lab in the next state over from them. I called after a couple of days passed without the amount showing up on the money card I used to make the purchase, and no email about the transaction appeared on the email address I had provided when I ordered.
They told me my name and address had been provided to the DEA, who advised them I had no prior history of criminal arrests or convictions and not known as a drug offender or abuser to the local law enforcement agencies. They then asked how I used the supplies I ordered. I detailed how I used them, what else went into the solution, the ratios of the chemicals in the solution, the resulting paper speed and hardness, the type of developer I used, and how a stainless steel platen was essential to speed print drying times and give a smooth surface to the print.
I've not had problems reordering as I have established the nature and purpose of my use of what I order from them.
They suggested I might want to order a larger quantity as the DEA agents had indicated to them they might decide to place bulk KI and NaI on the list of prohibited chemicals. That process will not take long if the DEA elects to do it. I have thus far declined to buy more as I have been considering giving up the hobby process, as quaint and interesting as it is, since doing the same damn thing digitally takes virtually no time, costs less, and requires the purchase of nothing more suspicious than ink cartridges.
