The drug tax law in the state of Louisiana

A drug tax is required in Louisiana for sales of steroids. This tax exists in this state for the past 20 years. Thus, Todd Matherne, a distributor of steroids was enforced to pay 52 million dollars because he sold a lot of steroids with the labels of the “Zencall Labs”. This man received a 7-year imprisonment 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 prison, he learned this law. As a result, he 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 punishment. This distributor of steroids pointed out that his rights were violated.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue didn’t fight against this person in the court. It was decided to reach agreement in this situation. Thus, the tax was decreased essentially. According to the new decision, this steroid dealer had to pay only 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, an expert in drug prosecution for the Louisiana District Attorney Association, claimed that several laws in different other states were ruled unconstitutionally. He claimed that it was the same with the drug tax law in Louisiana. But since some laws try to criminal twice the same crime, they can be lifted.
This expert noted that this law couldn’t work well because it might exclude criminal prosecution. Williams noticed that the drug tax law was not being used because a criminal case could be lost in exchange only for taxes.
There is also another reason which may explain why law enforcements do not want to impose the drug tax law in Louisiana. Law enforcements don’t support this law because the taxes don’t go 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 these drugs 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 huge underground lab called “Zencall Labs”. The Louisiana State Police busted “Zencall labs” in 2005. Over 10, 000 tablets and 300 capsules of Winstrol, 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. Furthermore, over 700 vials of injectable anabolic steroids and certain pounds of raw steroid powder were also found there.