Wiggam Pushes Back Against Drug Cartel, Illegal Immigration with Legislation Targeting their Money

COLUMBUS –State Representative Scott Wiggam (R-Wayne County) has introduced legislation to stop drug cartels, human trafficking and illegal immigration by imposing a fee on international wire transfers. 

The Ohio Withholding Illegal Revenue Entering Drug (WIRED) Act will require a 7% remittance transfer fee on all money being sent outside of the United States. 

“Citizens believe the United States’ boarder states are the only ones that have worry about the Cartel drug trade,” said Wiggam. “Money financing their operations is coming from the entire country, including Ohio. So, we have to help put an end to their crimes and this legislation will attack the heart operations by taxing the transfer of this money in an effort to put an end to money laundering in Ohio.” 

The money from these wire-transfer fee will be collected into a state fund that will then be granted to law enforcement initiatives to combat drug and human trafficking and illegal immigration around Ohio.

For those who are transferring money internationally for legitimate business, the legislation will also create a tax credit, which individuals can receive on their state tax returns. 

The legislation has not yet been assigned to a House committee.