Prior conviction as prima facie evidence of participation in illegal drug market

Any person against whom recovery is sought who has a criminal conviction under state or federal drug laws is estopped from denying participation in the illegal drug market. Such a conviction is also prima facie evidence of the person's participation in the illegal drug market during the two years preceding the date of an act giving rise to a conviction. The absence of criminal drug conviction of a person against whom recovery is sought does not bar an action against that person. Source: SL 1997, ch 203 , § 18.