In Charlotte, North Carolina, snitches now have a way to make a lot of money. An informant can earn up to 25% by texting FBI agents and taking money from people with cash. FBI news release. Jealous friends and jealous lovers can score huge now. Anyone who is tempted by this offer will be happy to know that asset confiscation under federal law is not a difficult process.
Law enforcement agencies have the ability to seize cash, cars and other assets through civil forfeiture without having to convict anyone. You don’t even have to make an arrest. An agent can avoid the criminal courtroom entirely.
The following is an extract from the ReleaseAgents can use the tip line to intercept drugs trafficking shipment through Charlotte. Two agents are shown in this campaign graphic looking at the large amount of cash inside a car. An illuminated neon headline proclaims, “Shine the light on drug traficking.” In the fine print, the kickback is highlighted. If a tip about drug cash being transported or stored turns out to be true, you could get up to 25% of the money seized. It is obvious that snitching can pay off. The ad neglects to mention these important details.
First of all, cash possession is not illegal. Although the ad implies that large quantities of money can be stored or transported, neither is it illegal. Many people conduct legitimate business in cash out of necessity—More than 5 percentA large proportion of U.S. households do not have access to savings or checking accounts..
Together, unbanked For adults, Younger, less fortunateMore than just “fully”. banked” adults. These agents are more likely to identify as black, Hispanic or from another ethnicity or race than white. Although agents who denigrate cash may not be motivated by racial reasons, they are discriminating when cash is used as an indicator for crime and without gathering any evidence.
Second, drug lords are rarely the targets of civil forfeiture. Although the campaign advertisement portrays a significant bust, these cases are rare. Institute for Justice, a public-interest law firm that analyzes nationwide data, calculates these numbers. Police for Profit study. If there is no criminal prosecution, federal forfeitures must not exceed $5,000. However, at the national level, the median cash forfeiture in the United States is only $1,276.
A IJ SurveyPhiladelphia Police routinely seize less than $100 from citizens, while one survey participant reported only $25. New Jersey police once confiscated just $11Illinois officers took a check from a cashier, then confiscated it. 34 Cents. The target of a civil forfeiture arrest is usually made by the police.
Third, police officers have financial motivations. Although the ad refers to a generous tipping bonus, it does not mention where all the money goes. Many states also have similar policies. The federal government can keep 100% of all the money it collects, as does Congress. It creates an unsavory incentive which can contaminate the entire process. If the campaign does not remove “even one” drug shipment from the streets, the FBI Charlotte Field Office will expand its pay per tip program. But ResearchEvidence shows that civil forfeiture is not effective in reducing drug abuse or lowering crime rates. It simply increases revenue.
Finally, although civil forfeiture is not authorized in North Carolina at this time, the state made millions from “equitable sharing.” It works like this: State and local agencies take cash, then give the paperwork to federal partners for civil forfeiture. This intentionally avoids state law. Once the process is complete, the U.S. government returns a cut—usually about 80 percent—which local and state agencies keep for themselves. North Carolina has produced over $1.5 billion in revenue between 2000-2019. $293 Millionin forfeiture income from equitable sharing This amounts to over $40,000 per day for the next 20 years.
While the FBI claims that it will shine light on drug trafficking in America, what is really being exposed by this campaign is corruption associated with civil forfeiture.