Rep. Marino's Bill to Halt Transnational Drug Trafficking Signed into Law

Statement

President Obama signed S. 32, the Transnational Drug Trafficking Act. Rep. Tom Marino (PA-10) introduced the identical House companion bill, H.R. 3380.

Rep. Marino released the following statement:

"Drug addiction has become a serious epidemic affecting families all across the United States. I applaud President Obama for signing this critical piece of legislation to help combat the flow of illegal substances across our border. Attacking this epidemic from every angle is the only way to gain ground in our fight against addiction. This is the first of many important steps Congress is taking to ensure a safer America for our children and grandchildren. I look forward to seeing the benefits this law will have not only for our law enforcement agencies, but for our communities and country as a whole."

This legislation combats the importation of chemicals used to make illicit drugs in the United States by improving law enforcement's ability to pursue source nation drug manufacturers, brokers, and drug trafficking distributors who do not actually traffic narcotics into the United States. Under current law, high-level individuals in drug trafficking organizations can evade prosecution by claiming they did not know the drugs were destined for the United States. However, the Transnational Drug Trafficking Act imposes penalties on trafficking in "listed chemicals," which are used to produce illegal drugs like methamphetamine and ensures those who knowingly send precursor chemicals intended to create dangerous and addictive drugs will face punishment.

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