The Louisiana Department of Revenue reduced a tax which had to pay a distributor of steroids from 52 million dollars to 2, 000 dollars

A special drug tax has to be paid in the state of Louisiana for distribution of steroids. This tax exists in this state for the past 20 years. So, Todd Matherne, a steroid dealer was enforced to pay 52 million dollars because he distributed many 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 jail, he learned this law. As a result, this man filed a lawsuit against the State of Louisiana, claiming that it was incorrect to enforce him to pay 52 million of dollars. He pointed out that it had been an unusual and even too cruel decision. Todd Matherne claimed that his rights were violated.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue didn’t fight against this steroid dealer in the court. It was decided to regulate this question. So, the tax was lowered essentially. According to the new settlement, Todd Matherne had to pay just 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, a specialist in drug prosecution for the Louisiana District Attorney Association, noted that several laws in different other states were ruled unconstitutionally. He confirmed that it was the same with the drug tax law in Louisiana. But since several laws try to criminal twice the same crime, they can be lifted.
This specialist said that this law couldn’t work well because it might give the possibility to defendants to escape from criminal prosecution. This expert for drug prosecution from Louisiana claimed that this law was not being used because a criminal case could be lost in exchange just for taxes.
There is also another reason which can explain why law enforcements don’t agree 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 the law, the tax of 200 dollars is indicated per 1 g of anabolic steroids, if they are distributed by weight. If these preparations are sold by dose units, it is indicated to pay 400 dollars for 10 dosage units.
As for Todd Matherne, he was a steroid dealer of the immense 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. Furthermore, more than 700 vials of injectable anabolic steroids and certain pounds of raw steroid powder were also found there.