A steroid dealer filed a lawsuit against the state of Louisiana

A 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 a lot of steroids with the labels of the “Zencall Labs”.  This individual was sentenced to 7 years in jail 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 found about this law. As a result, this man filed a lawsuit against the State of Louisiana, claiming that it was too cruel to enforce him to pay 52 million of dollars. Todd Matherne confirmed 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 achieve agreement in this situation. So, the tax was decreased essentially. 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, an expert in drug prosecution for the Louisiana District Attorney Association, noted that some 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 may be lifted.
Williams mentioned that this law couldn’t work well because it might exclude criminal prosecution. John Williams said that this law was not being used because a criminal case could be lost in exchange only for taxes.
There is also another reason which can explain why law enforcements do not desire to impose the drug tax law in Louisiana. Law enforcements do not support this law because the taxes don’t go 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 sold by weight. If steroids 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 immense underground lab called “Zencall Labs”. The Louisiana State Police busted “Zencall labs” in 2005. Over 10, 000 tablets and 300 capsules of Stanozolol, about 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.