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Osage Nation

Posted: May 04, 2015 2:33 PMUpdated: May 04, 2015 2:33 PM

Congress Adds Banisment to Punishment for Drug Crimes

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Bill Lynch

The Osage Nation passed a bill on 20 April that would add the threat of banishment to anyone charged by the tribal nation in a “dangerous drug offense.”

 

In a story released today by Osage News, “those who are convicted of selling, manufacturing or distributing dangerous drugs including methamphetamine on the Nation’s properties including the three villages, the government campus in Pawhuska and the seven Osage Casinos” will be subject to a mandatory five to ten year banishment from the Nation's land.

 

The Fourth Osage Nation Congress passed the bill, ONCA 15-31, sponsored by Congressman RJ Walker on April 20 with a 7-4 vote.

 

The villages shouldn’t be a safe haven for people to go manufacture, sell drugs or any criminals to consider it a safe haven,” Congressmen RJ Walker told the Congressional governmental operations committee. “I know some have expressed that it seems harsh, we wouldn’t be the first tribal nation to impose harsh penalties for situations like this or criminals in this case. I think it sends a message to our people that we’re going to handle these types of crimes in a very serious way – If you want to sell drugs, manufacture drugs, you’re not going to do it in the village and if you do, you’re out for five years, period.”

 

See the full story at the Osage News Link.


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