Change would classify trafficking as ‘poisonings’ and allow murder charges
If you’re dealing in fentanyl in Texas, you might want to think about relocating to one of those jurisdictions, perhaps in a leftist state like Colorado or California, where prosecutors treat such trafficking lightly.
For sure you’d better get out of Texas, soon.
It’s because a new plan being supported by state lawmakers and Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas would give prosecutors a new sledgehammer with which to attack drug dealers who push fentanyl products on Texans.
The option to charge offenders with murder.
Here we go!
You kill Texans with fentanyl.
You get charged with murder.Senate passes bill opening door for prosecutors to charge fentanyl distributors with murder.https://t.co/BNInhfgoIG via @TexasTribune
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 16, 2023
The Texas Tribune reported the Texas Senate unanimously adopted the plan that increases penalties for those in the fentanyl business. The plan now goes to the House.
“Senate Bill 645 by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, would achieve one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s legislative priorities by opening the door for prosecutors to charge people who make, sell and deliver fentanyl with murder,” the report said. The law under the change would classify such actions as “poisonings.”
“We have tragically learned the extent of how dangerous fentanyl is and how even under 1 gram is so dangerous,” Huffman said in the published report.
The Tribune noted, “Overdose deaths involving fentanyl in the state rose nearly 400%, from 333 people dying in fiscal year 2019 to 1,662 in fiscal year 2021. In Texas, the CDC predicts that more than 5,000 people died of drug overdoses between July 2021 and July 2022.”
The Gateway Pundit said in its report on the plan also increases penalties for lower amounts of the drugs.
And it contains an exception for medical professionals who prescribe the drug to treat a patient.
Huffman said, “It’s a fact that fentanyl is flooding our borders. It is absolutely, without a doubt, killing our citizens on a daily basis. And it’s time that we take a comprehensive approach to combat this.”
