Senate Considers Tax On Illegal Drugs

A bill before the State Senate would make it a requirement for drug dealers and traffickers to pay a tax for doing business in the state … kind of. It’s another tool for authorities to use in the war against drugs. It would allow them to seize the assets of drug dealers who fail to purchase the tax stamps for the illegal products being sold. Detective Steve Steen of the St. Louis County Police Department testified before a Senate committee, saying some drug dealers might avoid doing business in Missouri if they fear losing all their assets because offailure to pay taxes on their product. Supporters of the legislation acknowledge dealers would probably not purchase the tax stamp – leaving themselves open for this new tax evasion charge.