Fed agent seizes $115K from a man at RDU Airport. The agent says he's going to launch ...

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Asset forfeiture is lawless thuggery.

Here’s something I’ve never seen before & can’t find anywhere: a fed agent seized $115K from a man @RDUAirport. The agent says he’s going to launch a fed investigation of money laundering & drug activity.

Then offers the man a way out: surrender his cash & no investigation:

Link to tweet

[NH Ethylene]

1. Seizure of assets should be outlawed, imo. But this looks more like extortion!

It's interesting that the footage here came from a camera in the room, which people can't just get upon request, so maybe this incident - and this practice - is being investigated.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. Basic principles and decency apply here.

Asset theft is theft plain and simple.

It is a fundamental no-brainer that that law enforcement confiscates in the course of investigation. LE doesn't have the authority steal your stuff and "investigate" for a few weeks or months without oversight and court challenges. IMNSHO, police should have 72 hours on the clock to charge you in court or return any and all items and money taken. For those at or below the poverty line subjected to that abuse, they should compensated by law enforcement for time missed from work. Any such dollars should be paid with no taxes due of any kind.

It is already required that anyone detained must be charged with 24 hours or released.

It is clear to me that elements of the IVth, Vth and VIth Amendments have been violated by these types theft. Officers and agents involved in this activity should by law be restricted to make NOT MORE THAN ONE unsubstantiated confiscation not leading to criminal charges. A second incident results in immediate termination, being completely ineligible for government employment, election or any position of trust along with any unemployment benefits being limited to that available to someone making minimum wage.

Getting specific about this little bastard shown in the twitter link, he should be personally liable for returning everything confiscated within 72 hours failing any criminal charge and 10% of that amount per business day until the entire amount is returned limited to 300% of the amount held.