The Osage Nation Counseling Center offers services for people dealing with substance abuse and other issues. Photo from Facebook

The Osage Nation of Oklahoma is sending a strong message to drug dealers.

People who are convicted of selling, manufacturing or distributing "dangerous" drugs like methamphetamine now face a mandatory banishment of five years or more. The ban applies to all properties under tribal jurisdiction.

"I think it sends a message to our people that we’re going to handle these types of crimes in a very serious way – If you want to sell drugs, manufacture drugs, you’re not going to do it in the village and if you do, you’re out for five years, period," Congressman RJ Walker told The Osage News.

The Osage Congress passed ONCA 15-31 by a 7 to 4 vote on April 20, the paper said. Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear signed it into law the next day.

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ON Congress passes five-year banishment bill targeting convicted drug dealers (Osage News 5/4)