Taylor Backs New Weapon to Fight Smugglers

6/21/2012

HARRISBURG-- Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) joined his House colleagues in passing legislation to provide law enforcement agencies with an additional tool to combat illegal trafficking of drugs, money, weapons, and even human beings.

House Bill 1521 makes it illegal to possess a vehicle with false compartments when there is intent to use those compartments for illegal activity.

“Law enforcement officials have told us that they routinely stop the same vehicles for smuggling,” Taylor said. “I believe we should take these vehicles away from criminals when they are used to transport guns, drugs, or even people.”

Specifically, the legislation prohibits the use of “false or secret” compartments in motor vehicles for the purposes of criminal activity. By doing so, criminals will not be able to escape a probable cause search by simply placing their contraband in a secluded compartment of their motor vehicle, which was not intended by the manufacturer.

The bill now goes to the Pennsylvania Senate for approval.

State Representative John Taylor
177th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact:
David Foster
215-744-2600

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