The drug tax law is not always being used because it may lead to loss of criminal prosecution

A drug tax is required in Louisiana for distribution of steroids. This tax exists in this state for the past 20 years. Thus, Todd Matherne, a steroid dealer was enforced to pay 52 million dollars because he sold a lot of steroids with the labels of the “Zencall Labs”.  This person 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 jail, he studied this law. As a result, this person filed a lawsuit against the State of Louisiana, confirming that it was too cruel to enforce him to pay 52 million of dollars. Todd Matherne claimed that it had been an unusual and even too cruel punishment. This man claimed 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. So, the tax was lowered significantly. According to the new decision, Todd Matherne had to pay only 2, 000 dollars instead of 52 million dollars. Nonetheless, the 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 different 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.
This specialist noticed that this law couldn’t work well because it might exclude criminal prosecution. John Williams claimed 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 that may 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 in Louisiana, the tax of 200 dollars is indicated per 1 g of anabolic steroids, if they are sold by weight. If these medications are sold 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 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, more than 700 vials of injectable anabolic steroids and some pounds of raw steroid powder were also seized.