LANSING: Law enforcement agencies across Michigan reported seizing nearly $24 million in assets last year from people suspected of dealing drugs.
But the actual amount may be higher, because 56 of 686 agencies contacted failed to respond to the Michigan State Police Asset Forfeiture Report requests, according to The Detroit News.
Of those that responded, only 332 reported seizing assets, State Police spokeswoman Shanon Banner told the newspaper. Some 298 agencies reported no assets seized. Responses are voluntary.
About $24.3 million in assets were seized in 2013 and $26.5 million in 2012, according to the state police report.
The civil forfeiture issue has been drawing debate in Lansing. Prosecutors are allowed to go to civil court to permanently confiscate assets thought to be associated with criminal activity.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy released a report last month calling for a ban against civil forfeiture, saying the state should allow forfeiture only through the criminal court system after there is a conviction.
Their report found that Michigan law enforcement agencies reported more than $272 million in forfeiture proceeds related to alleged drug crimes from 2001 to 2013. The total value is likely larger but unknown due to weak reporting requirements, according to that report, which includes stories of residents whose money and other property were taken without charges being filed.
Forfeiture reform passed by the state Senate would require clear and convincing evidence that the assets were gained through narcotics trafficking. Gov. Rick Snyder has to sign the bills before they become law.
Snyder is “starting a thorough review before making a decision how to proceed,” his spokesman Dave Murray said.
Specialists In Oakland County’s asset forfeiture unit are careful in determining if proceeds and property being sought were derived from criminal behavior, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Paul Walton said.
“We’re not in it for the money,” Walton said.
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