The drug tax in Louisiana goes to state agencies

A special drug tax has to be paid in Louisiana for distribution of steroids. This tax exists in this state for the past 20 years. So, Todd Matherne, a distributor of steroids had to pay 52 million dollars because he sold a lot of steroids with the labels of the “Zencall Labs”. This individual was sentenced to 7 years in prison 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 person filed a lawsuit against the State of Louisiana, noticing that it was incorrect to enforce him to pay 52 million of dollars. Todd Matherne claimed that it had been an unusual and even too cruel punishment. Todd Matherne noted that his rights were violated.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue didn’t fight against this steroid dealer in the court. It was decided to reach agreement in this case. So, the tax was reduced significantly. According to the new settlement, this steroid dealer had to pay just 2, 000 dollars instead of 52 million dollars. Nevertheless, 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, mentioned that certain laws in different other states were ruled unconstitutionally. He claimed that it was the same with the drug tax law in Louisiana. But since certain laws try to criminal twice the same crime, they may be lifted.
John Williams said that this law couldn’t work well because it might exclude criminal prosecution. This specialist in drug prosecution from Louisiana pointed out that the drug tax law was not being used because a criminal case could be lost in exchange just for taxes.
There is also another reason which may explain why law enforcements don’t want to impose the drug tax law in Louisiana. Law enforcements don’t support this law because the taxes go not to law enforcement; they go to state agencies.
According to drug tax law in Louisiana, the tax of 200 dollars is indicated per 1 g of anabolic steroids, if they are distributed by weight. If these preparations are distributed by dosage units, it is indicated to pay 400 dollars for 10 dosage units.
As for Todd Matherne, he was a steroid dealer of the large underground lab called “Zencall Labs”. The Louisiana State Police busted “Zencall labs” 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 officers. Moreover, over 700 vials of injectable anabolic steroids and certain pounds of raw steroid powder were also seized.