Since 2007, the DEA has taken $3.2 billion in cash from people not charged with a crime
That total does not include the dollar value of other seized assets, like cars, homes, electronics and clothing.
These seizures are all legal under the controversial practice of civil asset forfeiture, which allows authorities to take cash, contraband and property from people suspected of crime. But the practice does not require authorities to obtain a criminal conviction, and it allows departments to keep seized cash and property for themselves unless individuals successfully challenge the forfeiture in court. Critics across the political spectrum say this creates a perverse profit motive, incentivizing police to seize goods not for the purpose of fighting crime, but for padding department budgets.
Original Article (Washington Post):
Since 2007, the DEA has taken $3.2 billion in cash from people not charged with a crime
Artwork Fair Use: Alfred Hautecoeur
