Do I have an obligation to notify police about a drug dealer (who is the brother of a close friend)?

[blaskoman]

I recently found out that one of my best friend’s brother is a small time drug dealer. I know for a fact that he mainly sells marijuana and occasionally cocain. By small time, I would estimate that he make $500-1000/wk as a dealer.

I’ve met this guy only on a few occasions. I would inevitably run into him since his brother is one of my best friends.

Do I have an obligation to inform the police about this drug dealing activity? From one point of view, he is selling a product that his customers are more than willing to buy. They are grown adults making poor decisions. If one’s main dealer was off the street, the drug user could easily find the product elsewhere. From what I understand, this dealer doesnt have a decent job, so part of the attraction to deal drugs probably stems from the desire to supplement his income.

If I do not call the police, I feel that this dealer would eventually be caught. Those that break the law cannot always stay one step ahead of the police! They all inevitably falter…I would also feel badly for my friend, since he would be clearly distraught if his brother was in jail.

I do not condone the usage of drugs. There would definately be a positive outcome to at least getting one dealer off the street. On the other hand, this individual is so small time, that one would be hard pressed to think his incarceration would really be helping society.

 

[RoncalliM]

No. It is your duty to pray for him, not turn him over to a corrupt justice system.

 

[crenfro]

Who will be hurt if you don’t report him? Who will be hurt if you do report him? What are the eternal repercussions if you do/don’t report him?

Would you be allowing a person to continue on a bad moral road by not pointing out to him where he’s headed?

What is the right thing to do?

Is there a good and holy priest you know you can discuss this with, or a spiritual director?

You will be in my prayers. Many blessings.

 

[flyingfish]

I don’t think you have such an obligation, as you said the people who come to him are doing so of their own free will. He is not tying anyone down and making them take drugs, and if he went to jail they’d get their drugs from someone else.

Also, if you do report him he might go to jail for ridiculously long amount of time for this. And he is your best friend’s brother after all.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

In my quiet neighborhood there was a small time drug dealer who eventually spawned a heroin ring among teenagers and young 20s. One of the girls in the ring recently died of an overdose given to her by her boyfriend. About 10 young adults are now in jail over this and 1 girl is dead.

If you know for a fact that this man is selling drugs and you can give good information about his ring, I would say that you are obligated to alert the authorities. Whether you tell the police or call social services, this man and his customers need help.

 

[AndyF]

Your unital family and those who depend on you are the first priority. Is there an absolute certainty they will not be affected by your action.?

 

[vz71]

Do you have proof? Or is this just third hand information?

Assuming you have proof, there is an obligation to turn this information over to the police.

 

[crenfro]

I hesitate to open this can of worms, but we are to render unto caesar what is caesar’s, which I always understood was obeying the laws of the land, not only just a reference to paying taxes. I don’t think it’s unjust to report him, though with many it could seem an unpopular decision. Who wants to be rejected by their friends?

To me it almost seems as possibly approaching a sin of omission.

And what’s that saying about evil - that all we have to do is say/do nothing about evil and it will increase.

I think it’d be courageous, true, yet a very unpopular thing to report this person. I also like what father corapi says - “I’m not going to hell for anybody because I also have a soul to save.”

If during the particular judgment God asks you about this, how would you defend your action (inaction?)?

just some thoughts…

 

[AndyF]

crenfro:

I meant my answer in general terms and what suits the situation. Those with infants and the handicapped have a case I feel.

I think God wants us to use good sense also. You will recall the gestapo(Caesar) insisted that all children report their non Nazi parents.

What parallels do we have in our situation?. Our entity society shows it’s obstinancy just has the Nazis did. Do we assign blatant trust to an entity who was told time and again by todays apostle the Pope that execution is a sin except for rare cases?. What does it show about how it cares for the security of the unital family when it cares nothing about the lives of the unborn? It should be realized the true character of the nation is also revealed by it’s decisions.

If this were an individual his character would be in question, and indeed Sirach and Wisdom recommend we distance ourselves from him. We cannot step out of society of course, but we can remain low key while it goes through it’s throes of sin and obstinancy.

Consider also, conscientious objection is recognized by the Church.

Andy

 

[ahollars]

Report him, and let the justice system decide if he’s small time. Pot users and sellers often do not make a big mark on the courts, since pot will grow just about everywhere, but if he is dealing other drugs, especially cocaine, then he is doing business with some violent thugs who need to go out of business.

I work for the DEA. No one can convince me that drug dealing and drug use are not violent.

 

[crenfro]

Consider also, conscientious objection is recognized by the Church.

Andy

Andy,

I hear you and appreciate your post. I’m confused about your mention of conscientious objection, which I usually associate only with being drafted into the army. However, I stand by what I posted. I’d consider the actions I stated as an example of taking up one’s own cross in order to follow the Lord. It is hard, hard, hard to do something like this when a good friendship is involved.

However, again, if it is truly from one’s PROPERLY FORMED conscience that a person would arrive at not reporting this person, then I’d say that’s what they should decide.

And please remember, this is my personal (name removed by moderator)ut only, which you are certainly free to accept or reject how you wish.

Please pray for me.

 

[survive]

What about someone who only sells marijuana and wouldn’t touch cocaine, who has a deathly terror of jail, and who might even have stopped by now? Suppose one has promised this person not to turn him in?

 

[Writer]

I hesitate to open this can of worms, but we are to render unto caesar what is caesar’s, which I always understood was obeying the laws of the land, not only just a reference to paying taxes. I don’t think it’s unjust to report him, though with many it could seem an unpopular decision. Who wants to be rejected by their friends?

To me it almost seems as possibly approaching a sin of omission.

And what’s that saying about evil - that all we have to do is say/do nothing about evil and it will increase.

I think it’d be courageous, true, yet a very unpopular thing to report this person. I also like what father corapi says - “I’m not going to hell for anybody because I also have a soul to save.”

If during the particular judgment God asks you about this, how would you defend your action (inaction?)?

just some thoughts…

I agree… Those who argue for turning a blind eye are letting subjective feelings and biases cloud their moral reasoning. Passages such as Romans 13:1, Titus 3:1 , and Hebrews 13:17 all remind us that we are citizens with obligations towards larger society and authorities.

 

[vz71]

What about someone who only sells marijuana and wouldn’t touch cocaine,

It does not matter the drugs involved. The question has to do with moral obligation to a just law. The laws against these drugs are just laws, therefore there is a moral obligation to follow them.

who has a deathly terror of jail,

Obviously they are not. Else they would not put themselves at such risk for jail time.

and who might even have stopped by now?

Might or might not is not for you to decide. You have a moral obligation to just laws.

Suppose one has promised this person not to turn him in?

An unfortunate promise. But one you would not be morally justified in keeping.

 

[petr]

An obligation? What a simple, but complex question you present.

For me, it comes down to the drug in question. Cocaine is evil. It destroys everyone - family - it touches like ripples in a pond. So, for me the question is quite simple to answer. I thought that I did have an obligation in my case.

I wrote a detailed letter and delivered it anoyn to the local narcotics detective.

 

[Rascalking]

An obligation? What a simple, but complex question you present.

For me, it comes down to the drug in question. Cocaine is evil. It destroys everyone - family - it touches like ripples in a pond. So, for me the question is quite simple to answer. I thought that I did have an obligation in my case.

I wrote a detailed letter and delivered it anoyn to the local narcotics detective.

Golly this one is very hard. Please make sure that you and your family will be safe no matter what you do, but generally, I support what the guy above said.