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Bill > HR3380


US HR3380

US HR3380
Transnational Drug Trafficking Act of 2015


summary

Introduced
07/29/2015
In Committee
04/20/2016
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017

Introduced Session

114th Congress

Bill Summary

Transnational Drug Trafficking Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to broaden the scope of persons subject to criminal prosecution for manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance in schedule I or II, a precursor chemical, or flunitrazepam for unlawful import into the United States. The Controlled Substances Act classifies drugs, substances, and chemicals used to make drugs into one of five schedules based on the drug's medical use, potential for abuse, and risk of dependence. Current law prohibits such manufacture or distribution by a person who knows or intends that the substance or chemical will be unlawfully imported. This bill broadens the scope to also prohibit such manufacture or distribution by a person who reasonably believes that the substance or chemical will be unlawfully imported. In addition, this bill prohibits the manufacture or distribution of a precursor chemical by a person who: (1) knows or intends that the chemical will be used to manufacture a controlled substance; and (2) knows, intends, or reasonably believes that the controlled substance will be unlawfully imported into the United States. (Sec. 3) The legislation amends the federal criminal code to replace statutory references to prohibited trafficking in a "counterfeit drug" with references to prohibited trafficking in a "drug that uses a counterfeit mark on or in connection with the drug."

AI Summary

This bill, the Transnational Drug Trafficking Act of 2015, aims to strengthen the government's ability to prosecute individuals involved in drug trafficking that affects the United States. It expands the scope of who can be prosecuted for manufacturing or distributing controlled substances (drugs classified into five schedules based on their medical use, potential for abuse, and risk of dependence) or precursor chemicals (substances used to make drugs) for unlawful import into the U.S. Previously, prosecution required proof that a person *knew or intended* for the substance to be unlawfully imported; this bill broadens that to include situations where a person *reasonably believes* it will be unlawfully imported. Additionally, it prohibits the manufacture or distribution of a precursor chemical if the person knows it will be used to make a controlled substance and knows, intends, or reasonably believes that the resulting controlled substance will be unlawfully imported into the U.S. The bill also updates federal law to prohibit trafficking in a "drug that uses a counterfeit mark on or in connection with the drug," rather than just a "counterfeit drug," to better address the nuances of counterfeit drug trafficking.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services, Justice, Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 469. (on 06/03/2016)

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