Why doesn’t the drug tax law work in Louisiana well?

A special drug tax is required in the state of Louisiana for distribution of steroids. This rule exists in this state for the past 20 years. Thus, Todd Matherne, a steroid dealer 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 learned this law. As a result, this steroid dealer filed a lawsuit against the State of Louisiana, claiming that it was too cruel to enforce him to pay 52 million of dollars. He claimed that it had been an unusual and even too cruel punishment. Todd Matherne said that his rights were violated.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue didn’t fight against this man in the court. It was decided to reach agreement in this situation. Thus, the tax was reduced significantly. According to the new settlement, this steroid dealer had to pay only 2, 000 dollars instead of 52 million dollars. Nevertheless, the 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 some laws in different other states were ruled unconstitutionally. He added that it was the same with the drug tax law in Louisiana. But since some laws try to criminal twice the same crime, they may be lifted.
Williams mentioned that this law couldn’t work well because it might give the possibility to defendants to escape from criminal prosecution. This specialist in drug prosecution from Louisiana 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 may explain why law enforcements don’t agree 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 sold by weight. If these preparations 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 huge underground lab called “Zencall Labs”. The Louisiana State Police busted this lab 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 some pounds of raw steroid powder were also seized.