El Chapo is Guilty, Why Not Pass Ted Cruz’s Bill To Build The Wall With Cartel Cash?

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera, one of the most storied drug kingpins in history, was convicted on 10 federal charges Tuesday, including “engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to launder narcotics proceeds, international distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs, and use of firearms.”

The criminal amassed a fortune of $14 billion during his decades running the brutal Sinaloa Cartels, which is responsible for unspeakable brutality. Now, the federal government seeks a forfeiture judgment of that cash, and just in the nick of time.

It is three times the amount requested by President Donald J. Trump to build a wall at the southern border, which would put a huge dent in the activities promulgated by those like El Chapo. Using his cash for a border wall would be apropos, and it wouldn’t cost the taxpayer a dime.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas.) proposed in January that El Chapo’s fortune be used to build the wall.

“Ensuring the safety and security of Texans is one of my top priorities,” Cruz said while introducing the Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order Act (ELCHAPO). “We must also be mindful of the impact on the federal budget. By leveraging any criminally forfeited assets of El Chapo and his ilk, we can offset the wall’s cost and make meaningful progress toward achieving President Trump’s stated border security objectives.”

With Democrats in Congress dead set on deny Trump the wall, and Trump himself balking at the idea of declaring a national emergency to build the wall, Cruz’s plan might actually be the best option available. It completely levels the Democrats’ argument that a wall is fiscally irresponsible (not that Democrats actually care about fiscal responsibility) leaving them only with the “immorality” argument, which is flimsy at best.

Not to mention it forces them to choose between siding with a notorious drug lord and the security of United States.

El Chapo faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. He will appeal his conviction, but will likely never see the light of day again. He has no use for the money. We might as well do something positive with it.


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