Discussion of " Dirty Money"...

[SANE-A30]

yesterday while I was at work the subject of dirty money came about , lol not really sure how but it did...I myself have always wondered what ever happens to the millions of dollars confiscated at scenes? and how does the money become clean again? Is this money used to do undercover drug bust? I have always wondered about this and yesterday when it was mentioned striked my curiosity again

I'm just thinking in my head if you did a bust and found 20 million in a drug bust why not use that money to increase our poverty level, buy new cars for the agency increase your salary....etc....yeah I am a dreamer... and i know money has to have it's weight in gold..I understand that.. but if it has enough value to buy drugs it should be ok to use for productive things.....I am certain I am WAAAAAAY off base that's why I am asking here

[DCF]

I can only reply relative the state I work for. If money is seized, it is done with a warrant. A warrant is prepared citing the probable cause to believe it is illegal proceeds. If the judge signs the warrant, the subject in possession of the money is given a hearing date on the funds. The subject has the opportunity to prove the money was not obtained illegally. If they are unable to do so, the seized funds are awarded to the seizing agency. That agency can use the funds for most anything that supports the operation of the unit. Basically any equipment. It is not permitted to pay overtime etc.

[scott715us]

Most seizures I've been involved in, whether with local or federal guys seizing the money, didn't have a warrant at the time of the arrest because the seizure itself is civil in nature. There is a lesser burden of proof required for civil seizures (versus what's required from a criminal arrest/search). There does have to be some articulation, but I'm not going to divulge all the specifics here. Most of the time the folks that have the money are just mules for who it actually belongs to and usually could care less if it's taken from them. They're probably more worried about the owner of the money than they are about criminal prosecution from state and/or federal authorities.

[jarobins]

In Virginia only seized drug assets are returned to the seizing agency. Other types of cases that involve asset forfeiture such as gambling and fraud require that seized assets are returned to the state literary fund; which is used to build schools. As stated above, drug assets are limited in their use and are typically used to pay for equipment and training.

[retdetsgt]

In Oregon, we've taken money, cars, etc. on drugs, prostitution and gambling enterprises because everyone involved was doing illegal activity. In thefts, etc., every effort is made to return the stuff to the owner.

[mcsap]

We have seized all kinds of stuff but we can't keep it. It MUST go to the DA"s Office who has final authority and discretion where it goes. I have been able to keep tools / computers and such for our dept. use but all money and cars go to them regardless of who seized it. A lot of times , the sentencing agreement includes that the accused forfeit certain items or cash as part of the plea deal.

Sometimes people petition the court to get their stuff back. We ( the DA) has to prove it was the profit of an illegal gain , if we can't , they get it back.

I had to turn over $31,000 a few months ago , we could have used it here at the PD.

[retdetsgt]

The court decides here and awards it. We have a DDA who's assigned to do nothing but civil seizures. We get some, some we don't. Depends on how the judge rules.

[SANE-A30]

I can only reply relative the state I work for. If money is seized, it is done with a warrant. A warrant is prepared citing the probable cause to believe it is illegal proceeds. If the judge signs the warrant, the subject in possession of the money is given a hearing date on the funds. The subject has the opportunity to prove the money was not obtained illegally. If they are unable to do so, the seized funds are awarded to the seizing agency. That agency can use the funds for most anything that supports the operation of the unit. Basically any equipment. It is not permitted to pay overtime etc.

why can't it be used to pay for overtime??

In Virginia only seized drug assets are returned to the seizing agency. Other types of cases that involve asset forfeiture such as gambling and fraud require that seized assets are returned to the state literary fund; which is used to build schools. As stated above, drug assets are limited in their use and are typically used to pay for equipment and training.

why are drug assets limited?
I like the idea that it's not returned....


So the money that is confiscated and used for the literary fund can be used right away? or does it have to go through a certain processing?

Thanks for all the answers too