Law enforcements of Louisiana don’t support the drug tax law

A drug tax is required in the state of Louisiana for sales of steroids. This tax exists in this state for the past 20 years. Thus, Todd Matherne, a distributor of steroids had to pay 52 million dollars because he distributed a lot of steroids with the labels of the “Zencall Labs”. This man was sentenced to 7 years in jail but he served 3 years of them.
In fact, Todd Matherne didn’t know the Louisiana’s drug stamp law. But when he was released from the jail, he studied this law. As a result, this steroid dealer filed a lawsuit against the State of Louisiana, confirming that it was too cruel to enforce him to pay 52 million of dollars. This person claimed that it had been an unusual and even too cruel decision. This steroid dealer confirmed that his rights were violated.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue didn’t fight against Todd Matherne in the court. It was decided to reach agreement in this case. Thus, the tax was lowered essentially. According to the new settlement, this steroid dealer had to pay only 2, 000 dollars instead of 52 million dollars. Nonetheless, this drug tax law has remained in Louisiana but its constitutionality is still discussed.
John Williams, a specialist in drug prosecution for the Louisiana District Attorney Association, noted that certain laws in various other states were ruled unconstitutionally. He confirmed that it was the same with the drug tax law in Louisiana. But since certain laws try to criminal twice the same crime, they can be lifted.
John Williams noticed that this law couldn’t work well because it might exclude criminal prosecution. He noticed that this law was not being used because a criminal case could be lost in exchange just for taxes.
There is also another reason that can explain why law enforcements do not want to impose the drug tax law in Louisiana. Law enforcements do not support this law because the taxes go not to law enforcement; they go to state agencies.
According to drug tax law, the tax of 200 dollars is indicated per 1 g of anabolic steroids, if they are distributed by weight. If steroids are distributed by dose units, it is indicated to pay 400 dollars for 10 dose units.
As for Todd Matherne, he was a steroid dealer of the large underground lab called “Zencall Labs”. The Louisiana State Police busted this lab in 2005. More than 10, 000 tablets and 300 capsules of Stanozolol, more than 6, 000 tablets of Anadrol, 3,500 tablets and 1, 900 capsules of Cialis, 1, 5000 capsules of Tamoxifen, 2, 400 capsules of Clomid, 800 capsules of Anabol and 600 capsules of Dianabol were seized by the officials. Furthermore, over 700 vials of injectable anabolic steroids and certain pounds of raw steroid powder were also found there.