Narco-Terror Provision Added to House Patriot Act Bill
Before the House voted to extend the Patriot Act, Henry Hyde slipped in a little-noticed new drug provision:
Offered by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL), the successful amendment would make manufacture, sale, possession with the intent to sell Schedule I and II drugs, or conspiracy to do any of the above "narco-terrorism" if it "directly or indirectly, aids, or provides support, resources or anything of value to: (a) a foreign terrorist organization; or (b) any person or group involved in the planning, preparation for, or carrying out of a terrorist offense."
A "narco-terrorism" conviction would draw a mandatory minimum 20-year prison sentence, with the possibility of a life sentence. Under the provision, "the government need not prove that the defendant knew that an organization is a designated foreign terrorist organization,'" according to the House floor summary.
Who comes under the provision? It's not entirely clear, but it could be your corner street dealer who has no ties at all to terrorism.
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