ORDER ON 404(b) EVIDENCE1

Armando Naranjo is on trial charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. 21 *875U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846. The Government seeks to introduce evidence relating to the Defendant’s prior cocaine trafficking culminating in a plea of guilty in United States v. Naranjo, 80-461-CR-KING.2 The Government argues that the evidence is admissible to show plan, motive and intent citing United States v. Beechum, 582 F.2d 898 (5th Cir. 1978) (en banc), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 920, 99 S.Ct. 1244, 59 L.Ed.2d 472 (1979).3 The Defendant strenuously opposes introduction of this evidence arguing that its probative value is outweighed by its prejudicial effect. Fed.R.Evid. 403.4

The Court need not reach the issue of admissibility to show plan or intent as argued by the Government, because the opening statement by the Defendant presents a wholly independent basis for admissibility of the prior cocaine dealing. During the opening statement, each party vigorously outlined their contentions. The Defendant, in particular, threw down the gauntlet— flatly denying commission of the crimes and stating that the Defendant . is not a drug dealer.”

In United States v. McKeon, 738 F.2d 26 (2nd Cir. 1984), the Second Circuit recently had the opportunity to consider the effect of an opening statement on the issues in the case. While much of the discussion in McKeon is not germane to the present case,5 the Circuit Court makes clear that a position or assertion taken in an opening statement can be binding upon that party. “We begin with the general proposition that ‘[sjtatements made by an attorney concerning a matter within his employment may be admissible against the party retaining the attorney.’ ” United States v. McKeon, supra, at 30 quoting from United States v. Margiotta, 662 F.2d 131, 141 (2d Cir. 1981), cert. denied, 461 U.S. 913, 103 S.Ct. 1891, 77 L.Ed.2d 282 (1983). See, also, Oscanyan v. Arms Co., 103 U.S. (13 Otto) 261, 26 L.Ed. 539 (1880); and Collins v. Texas Company, 267 F.2d 257, 258 (5th Cir. 1959). The McKeon Court concluded that “[tjhe general admissibility of an atto-ney’s statement as well as the binding effect of an opening statement within the four corners of a single trial, are thus well established.” Id. at 30.

In the present case, the Defendant denied, without equivocation, that he was a drug dealer. This statement, in the context presented, went well beyond a mere challenge by Naranjo to prove the present case, but constituted an assertion by the Defendant that he was never involved in narcotics. While such a statement has a tactical advantage and fits into the defense of this case, it also entails a price. Here, the price is the admission of the prior narcotic dealing to rebut this assertion and eliminates the impression left with the jury that Naranjo was not a drug dealer. Accordingly, the Motion in Limine is denied and the evidence will be admitted.