$3.3 million in suspect cash is seized

St. Louis Post-Dispatch ^ | March 16, 2005 | Paul Hampel

[Graybeard58]

A Pontoon Beach police officer acting on a hunch searched a tractor-trailer at a truck stop and discovered almost $3.3 million in suspected drug money, one of the largest cash seizures in the area's history.

The money, confiscated Friday, was mostly in $20 bills and took a team of 10 officers almost 12 hours to count, said Pontoon Beach Police Chief Charles Luehmann.

snip

"We catch people with anywhere from $5,000 or $6,000 all the way up to a half million usually," said St. Louis police spokesman Sgt. Sam Dotson. Almost "$3.3 million, I'd say that's a huge find for Pontoon Beach."

snip

If the driver can't provide proof he obtained the money legally, federal law requires that it be divided between Pontoon Beach police and federal agencies.

[international american]

: )

[international american]

"Is this still America?"

Whats left of it, yeah : )

[Cultural Jihad]

Someone else posted this:

"Prove you are innocent, or we will take everything you have."

Is this still America?

Anyone carrying around $3.3 million dollars in cash is not a poster child for America, for either they are criminals or insane or stupid.

Sure, perhaps there could be a case of some wealthy ACLU ideologue-type deciding to carry a large amount of cash around because he can, and others be damned. Some people are so mean, they would never spit if they ever thought it do anyone some good.

[Centurion2000]

If the driver can't provide proof he obtained the money legally, federal law requires that it be divided between Pontoon Beach police and federal agencies.

D*#ned THIEVES. Whatever happened to due process and the 5th ??

[OldEagle]

"A Pontoon Beach police officer acting on a hunch searched a tractor-trailer..."

Does a hunch equal probable cause? Lacking probable cause is it a legal search? If it is not a legal search, is it a legal seizure?

[paul51]

My tag line isn't to be used to justify tactics with such obvious abuse potential. My instincts tell me there is more harm than good being done and I get uncomfortable any time the state or it's agents are allowed to exercise powers that are so easily employed against law abiding citizens

[Centurion2000]

Anyone having that much money in cash is obviously a criminal.

From the Federal Reserve CPI numbers

http://minneapolisfed.org/Research/data/us/calc/hist1800.cfm

1870 : 38
1967 : 100
1980 : 246.8
2005 : 584.9

Going by this 3.3 million is equal to 214,215 dollars in cash or about 400 500 dolalr bills.

NO ONE back then would have said : Oh that's too much money for you to own.

[Graybeard58]

My car has been searched several times

If you are young- teen age, or have long hair or tattoos, or body ornaments or heaven forbid if your skin shade is darker than lily white, you are guilty and it's on you to prove otherwise.

Click the link in #54, if you haven't already.