Days before the presidential election, federal agents confiscated 3,250 bags of heroin stamped “Donald Trump” in Seaford, Delaware—along with a gun from a local dealer trying to capitalize on the Donald’s emerging popularity.
Bob Bennett was charged in U.S. District Court with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. In court documents, Bennett, a repeat felon, told agents that he sold 50 “logs” of heroin every week or so. Each log contained about 130 bags of heroin. Agents also found a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson in Bennett’s home. The drug dealer claimed that he kept the gun to protect himself because robbery “comes with the business of dealing heroin.”
With the Donald in the forefront of our national consciousness, this isn’t the first time—and probably won’t be the last—that heroin is branded with the president-elect’s name.
In Vermont this past October, a man was charged with bringing 280 bags of “Donald Trump” heroin into the state. And in New Hampshire last spring, a woman was arrested in Troy for selling heroin packaged in dose-sized bags and emblazoned with the name “Donald Trump.” Now that Trump is elected, probably even more heroin will be showing up with his name attached.
Trump has some very specific views on the source of America’s heroin. He blames the Mexican cartels for the epidemic and has claimed that he will stop the opioid crisis by building a wall to seal off the border. “Because at the Southern border, it’s gonna be over,” Trump told a New Hampshire audience after winning the primary there in February. “We’re gonna have borders again and we’re gonna work with you people to help you solve that very big problem.” With Trump attempting to solve the problem, he might take it as a personal affront that heroin is being branded with his name.
“The single-biggest problem is heroin that pours across our southern borders, just pouring, and destroying their youth and is poisoning the blood of their youth and plenty of other people,” Trump said at the final presidential debate. And right before Election Day, Trump issued a press release detailing how he’ll combat the opiate problem. He believes that by increasing drug treatment access and controlling immigration, he can curb our nation’s appetite for opioids.
“The open border policies of Hillary Clinton, including catch and release, another terrible practice, have allowed a massive influx of drugs into New Hampshire, and frankly, to states all over our country. Almost every state,” Trump said in October—and with his victory in the election, he plans to get to work.
On his website, he promises, “I will always be your voice. I will always be your champion. Now it’s time to get to work – to unite, to prosper, to become stronger. Together, I have no doubt we have taken the first step to Make America Great Again!”
It will definitely be an interesting next four years.
