WND 1/22/22
Deputies stop drivers, take their cash and let them goCivil forfeiture practices in several states have come under fire in recent years in disputes triggered by controversial cases that involved the seizure of homes, cars and even cash from innocent people.
Some of those practices have been ruled unconstitutional by courts, and lawmakers now are proposing plans that would require a criminal conviction in order for a civil forfeiture to stand.
The concept is that authorities should be allowed to confiscate money used in criminal activity. But victims who lose money, and never are charged, much less convicted, accuse the police agencies of utilizing those laws, which give them a percentage of the take, to boost their budgets.
Perhaps illegally.
Now a case brought by the Institute for Justice, which previously has sued the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Transportation Security Administration over their use of the strategies, and successfully has worked to have the practice banned in Maine and several other states, reveals the dispute has been taken to a whole new level.
The organization reports that San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies and federal agents have partnered to steal more than $1 million from legal cannabis businesses.
The situation involves Empyreal Logistics, an armored car and fintech company that operates in many states.
It has sued several federal law enforcement agencies and the San Bernardino County sheriff after being "the victim of roadside seizures which amount to highway robbery," the Institute reported.
More:
https://www.wnd.com/2022/01/highway-robbery-armored-car-company-sues-authorities-roadside-seizures/
