USA - Seized Property Can Help Fight War On Drugs

[Abrad]

http://www.yankton.net/stories/10020...61002019.shtml
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) -- Turnabout is fair play in the war on drugs, so people caught dealing in Nebraska just might find their property used against them and others involved in crime.

Nebraska law enforcement has seized items such as a motor home, a Lincoln Navigator and large amounts of money.

Federal law allows prosecutors to seize vehicles, property or money if they have evidence the items were used to purchase or move drugs, Hall County Attorney Mark Young said.

At the state level, such seizures are considered double jeopardy if people are also charged criminally in connection with the case. Therefore, Young said, most local seizures are done in federal court.

State Patrol Capt. Chris Kolb said the motor home was seized after two men were stopped on Interstate 80 with nearly 300 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle.

It was later used to haul SWAT team equipment, as a command post and made a trip to White Clay during unrest in the Panhandle community. Once the vehicle became unserviceable, it was taken to Lincoln to be sold as surplus, he said.

In another case, the State Patrol seized a Lincoln Navigator during a drug stop, The vehicle later was added to the patrol fleet.

After some complaints from the public about taxpayer money being spent to purchase a luxury sports utility vehicle, the department added decals to the Navigator's doors explaining it was obtained in a drug case, Kolb said.