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Bud Head · #1 (**permalink**) 06-18-2004, 07:28 AM

http://www.newschannel5.com/content/news/5598.asp

New Illegal Drug Tax Would Help Fight Crime
Video
Posted: 6/17/2004 6:02:00 PM
Updated: 6/17/2004 6:22:16 PM

Illegal drug dealers in Tennessee will now have to pay a state tax on their unlawful goods.

The drug tax would be levied after the dealer or user is caught.

Drug dealers can pay the taxes without getting busted. Metro's vice squad confiscated 26 million dollars of cocaine last year. None of it could be taxed.

But under a new law, the state plans to make drug dealers pay. And it will give those drug dealers a way to pay before they even get busted.

Loren Chumley, Revenue Commissioner says, "It's a way for us to get the fruits of the crime to pay to fight the crime."

The taxation of unauthorized substances - known on the streets as the crack tax, will cost the state at least a million dollars to put in place. It is modeled after a 1999 North Carolina law that has netted that state six million dollars so far.

Here in Tennessee - it is expected to generate at least four million dollars a year. The money will help undercover drug agents who, for security reasons, could not go on camera.

Gary Fletcher, with the metro police department, says, "that's the way you get to the mid-level and upper level drug dealers. You try to penetrate the drug organization itself. That's how you do it by spending more money identifying the main sources of the organizations."

The law goes into effect on January 1st. 75 percent of the revenues will go directly to drug enforcement. The remaining money will go into the general fund.

If a drug dealer has proof they paid the tax it would not lessen the charge. The tax and the crime are separate. A person would still face the drug charge.

The system will take confidentiality into consideration. A drug user would be able to walk into the state office building and pay the taxes on their drugs - without being arrested.

Chumley says, "This is no way, shape or form or fashion showing any sort of tolerance for illegal drugs - it was really just a way for them to be charged for the problems they cause to society

#1 (permalink) 06-18-2004, 07:28 AM
Bud Head Old School Stoner Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 10,834	Tennesse Taxing drug dealers http://www.newschannel5.com/content/news/5598.asp New Illegal Drug Tax Would Help Fight Crime Video Posted: 6/17/2004 6:02:00 PM Updated: 6/17/2004 6:22:16 PM Illegal drug dealers in Tennessee will now have to pay a state tax on their unlawful goods. The drug tax would be levied after the dealer or user is caught. Drug dealers can pay the taxes without getting busted. Metro's vice squad confiscated 26 million dollars of cocaine last year. None of it could be taxed. But under a new law, the state plans to make drug dealers pay. And it will give those drug dealers a way to pay before they even get busted. Loren Chumley, Revenue Commissioner says, "It's a way for us to get the fruits of the crime to pay to fight the crime." The taxation of unauthorized substances - known on the streets as the crack tax, will cost the state at least a million dollars to put in place. It is modeled after a 1999 North Carolina law that has netted that state six million dollars so far. Here in Tennessee - it is expected to generate at least four million dollars a year. The money will help undercover drug agents who, for security reasons, could not go on camera. Gary Fletcher, with the metro police department, says, "that's the way you get to the mid-level and upper level drug dealers. You try to penetrate the drug organization itself. That's how you do it by spending more money identifying the main sources of the organizations." The law goes into effect on January 1st. 75 percent of the revenues will go directly to drug enforcement. The remaining money will go into the general fund. If a drug dealer has proof they paid the tax it would not lessen the charge. The tax and the crime are separate. A person would still face the drug charge. The system will take confidentiality into consideration. A drug user would be able to walk into the state office building and pay the taxes on their drugs - without being arrested. Chumley says, "This is no way, shape or form or fashion showing any sort of tolerance for illegal drugs - it was really just a way for them to be charged for the problems they cause to society __________________ If you can't own a John Deere, just get out of farming.. Last edited by Bud Head; 06-18-2004 at 07:49 AM.