Buchanan: Pass "El Chapo Act" to Strengthen Border Security

Statement

Congressman Vern Buchanan today announced that he is co-sponsoring legislation that would allow billions of dollars' worth of assets seized from Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera to help secure the southern border.

Buchanan is supporting the Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (EL CHAPO) Act, which would set aside money forfeited to the U.S. government from El Chapo and other convicted drug lords to be used for increased security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Guzman's drug empire amassed an estimated $14 billion from narcotic sales responsible for destroying the lives of millions of Americans," Buchanan said. "As President Trump looks to secure the southern border, Congress should pass this commonsense measure to use seized drug money to staunch the flow of drugs and violence into our communities."

Earlier this month, the famed drug lord and head of the murderous Sinaloa cartel was found guilty of all 10 federal criminal counts against him, including drug trafficking, operating a continuing criminal enterprise and weapons violations.

Guzman, who was once listed on Forbes' Billionaires List and oversaw the shipment of tons of cocaine and other drugs into the U.S., is set to be sentenced at the end of June.

According to Forbes Magazine, the 33-page indictment against El Chapo, filed in 2016 at the U.S. Eastern District of New York, does not dissect the $14 billion. It simply says that upon conviction, the U.S. will seek forfeiture of any property or contractual rights derived from the continuing criminal enterprise, "including but not limited to at least approximately a sum of money equal to $14 billion in United States currency."

Buchanan has been a strong supporter of enforcing federal immigration laws and is the author of the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act. Buchanan's bill prohibits gang members from entering the U.S. and allows for them to be deported if they are already here, as well as disqualifying these dangerous individuals from receiving asylum or temporary protected status.

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