Rep. Bobby Cleveland plans to offer an amendment which would divert civil asset forfeiture money to help pay for the construction of a border wall between the United States and Mexico. The wall, a campaign promise from President Trump, has been much ballyhooed in the national political press.
“This money is drug money,” said Cleveland. “The vast majority of it is either coming from Mexico or headed there. By redirecting this cash to construction efforts, Mexico will be paying for the wall just as promised.”
While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has yet to put forth final plans for the wall, and it has become a political football in federal budget negotiations, Cleveland believes the money seized in Oklahoma could go a long way in helping to strengthen the nation’s security.
“It’s high time we crack down on the Mexican drug cartels. For too long, we’ve put this on the backburner. This amendment will make Oklahoma – and our country – safer,” Cleveland said.
Currently, law enforcement agencies which seize the money get a major share if the owner cannot prove the money’s “innocence.”
Cleveland’s goal is to have the amendment added to a bill before the end of the current legislative session.
