Entries by Sebastian Rucci

Stopping the abuse of civil forfeiture

The writer, a Republican, represents Michigan’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House. Imagine you are driving down the highway on your way to buy a car. You spent months researching years, makes and models, and you finally found somebody who was selling the exact ride you were looking for at a reasonable price. Suddenly, […]

A Primer on Dirty Money

A Primer on Dirty Money JUNE 15, 200812:01 AM ET By John Burnett Why is there so much drug money moving on U.S. highways, and what happened to money-laundering through banks? First, Mexican traffickers who’ve taken over distribution networks in the United States prefer to smuggle profits back in bulk cash. Second, it’s gotten harder […]

Cash Seizures by Police Prompt Court Fights

Cash Seizures by Police Prompt Court Fights JUNE 16, 20082:04 PM ET HEARD ON ALL THINGS CONSIDERED By John Burnett Listen Download Transcript Second installment of a four-part series. A Primer on Dirty Money For an explanation of how drug asset seizures work, read our FAQ. Chris Hunt, standing in his Atlanta auto-detailing shop, is […]

Seized Drug Assets Pad Police Budgets

Seized Drug Assets Pad Police Budgets JUNE 16, 200812:01 AM ET HEARD ON MORNING EDITION By John Burnett Listen Download Transcript First of a four-part series A Primer on Dirty Money For an explanation of how drug asset seizures work, read our FAQ. Cpl. Mark Frost of the Kingsville Police Department in Texas inspects the […]

Deputy Has Midas Touch in Asset Seizures

Deputy Has Midas Touch in Asset Seizures JUNE 17, 200811:46 AM ET HEARD ON ALL THINGS CONSIDERED By John Burnett Listen Download Transcript Third installment of a four-part series Chief Deputy Eddie Ingram, renowned for his skills at finding smuggled contraband, looks for drugs in the back seat of a suspect’s car during a traffic […]

Sheriff Under Scrutiny over Drug Money Spending

Sheriff Under Scrutiny over Drug Money Spending JUNE 18, 200812:49 PM ET HEARD ON ALL THINGS CONSIDERED By John Burnett The last of a four-part series Camden County Sheriff Bill Smith is being investigated by a federal grand jury over questions about his spending of forfeiture funds. Courtesy of The Camden County Sheriff’s Office Lt. […]

Texas Case May Spur Drug Money Rule Change

Texas Case May Spur Drug Money Rule Change MAY 12, 20094:00 PM ET HEARD ON ALL THINGS CONSIDERED By John Burnett The NPR series Dirty Money revealed how some police agencies abuse a law that allows them to confiscate suspected drug money. The problems continue, but in Texas that might be about to change. A […]