DEA Steals $16,000 In Cash From Young Black Man, Because He Must Be A Drug Dealer

Huffington Post ^ | 05/07/2015 | Nick Wing

[Forgotten Amendments]

Rivers said the agents questioned passengers at random, asking for their destination and reason for travel. When one of the agents got to Rivers, who was the only black person in his car, according to witnesses, the agent took the interrogation further, asking to search his bags. Rivers complied. The agent found the cash -- still in a bank envelope -- and decided to seize it on suspicion that it may be tied to narcotics. River pleaded with the agents, explaining his situation and even putting his mother on the phone to verify the story.

No luck.

“These officers took everything that I had worked so hard to save and even money that was given to me by family that believed in me,” Rivers told the Journal. “I told (the DEA agents) I had no money and no means to survive in Los Angeles if they took my money. They informed me that it was my responsibility to figure out how I was going to do that.”

[1010RD]

Right. Why should we give traffic to HuffPo?

[Conscience of a Conservative]

I wasn’t justifying anything. I was just saying that we may not know everything here, and speculating about the possibilities.

I think this was theft. Period. Calling it “asset forfeiture” does not change that one bit.

[SampleMan]

I don’t agree. I know lots of people that carry more cash than that, as have I. I have also found that many black Americans don’t have bank accounts.

[max americana]

He’s got a case here especially being a non-white. Sue away homey.

[kingu]

Would you be better off with a money order, made out to yourself?

Reason why he was carrying cash, according to the story, was that he's experienced problems withdrawing cash on an out of state bank account. I would expect there to be similar issues cashing a $10,000+ money order.

It is really contemplative discussing how to transport large sums of cash or equivalents without it being stolen by law enforcement.

[kiryandil]

Why would they shoot him?

Because they can

They may have feared for their authority...

[TalBlack]

Yes and what a coinkydink that a guy had 16 large on him and other guys just decided to nose around where he was.

They knew the money was there. And they knew they could take it without any supporting evidence beyond it’s mere presence.

[kiryandil]

'Nahh, we'll just get the dog out here and have him sniff around, then we don't need a warrant.' And I guarantee that the dog will absolutely indicate there's something in the possessions, which would then result in the search and the confiscation.

Or as I refer to him - "Officer-Judge Barky"...

[George from New England]

“Why would they shoot him?”

Why would they rob him?

Because they are above the laws and constitution.

[eyedigress]

I carry cash myself and many farmers from my old neck of the woods carry 15 or more.

I jumped the gun on this and didn’t give it justice due.

I did not understand that the police stole his money and let him on his way. That must stop!

[arthurus]

Cops can confiscate cash from anyone any time. If it includes a hundred dollar bill the Peace Officers can actually prove that it was used in an illegal transaction and that is all that is required to keep the bill and any money associated with it. Volusia County Florida financed for a few years, and maybe still does, much of its government by highway stops of elderly retirees going south in their Caddilacs and Lincolns with their life savings in cash to buy condos in sunny South Florida. I don't think any of them has got his money back. If the old couple does not have the money with them in cash, whatever other cash they have was confiscated. It is all good according to Federal Law.

Actually if the police find a hundred dollar bill in the car they can confiscate the car, too, and jewelry and anything else they find that they can convert into cash. I haven't heard of it going further in Volusia than the cash, though.

[arthurus]

Cops can confiscate cash from anyone any time. If it includes a hundred dollar bill the Peace Officers can actually prove that it was used in an illegal transaction and that is all that is required to keep the bill and any money associated with it. Volusia County Florida financed for a few years, and maybe still does, much of its government by highway stops of elderly retirees going south in their Caddilacs and Lincolns with their life savings in cash to buy condos in sunny South Florida. I don't think any of them has got his money back. If the old couple does not have the money with them in cash, whatever other cash they have was confiscated. It is all good according to Federal Law.

Actually if the police find a hundred dollar bill in the car they can confiscate the car, too, and jewelry and anything else they find that they can convert into cash. I haven't heard of it going further in Volusia than the cash, though.

[doorgunner69]

DEA and BATF, both Jack Booted Thug agencies out of control and should be abolished.

[Rome2000]

An AMERICAN black “rapper” with 16K in cash on him and got it legally?.

There’s a bridge in Brooklyn for sale, I think he was going to buy it.

[eyedigress]

I’m gonna pay for this all night.

Thanks George.

:^)

[Rome2000]

You carry around over 16K in cash and aren’t armed?

[tacticalogic]

Reason why he was carrying cash, according to the story, was that he's experienced problems withdrawing cash on an out of state bank account. I would expect there to be similar issues cashing a $10,000+ money order.

How about Traveler's checks? Aren't they supposed to eliminate that problem?

[JRandomFreeper]

I didn't think it sounded like you. You do have a rep around here. ;)

Enjoy the day.

/johnny

[miliantnutcase]

You could get one of those shaving cream cans with the fake compartment in the bottom.

[kiryandil]

Hopefully, Rome, armed government gunthugs confront you one day, and steal your property without arresting you, as happened in this case.

Well, if you "own" a house or land, you're already paying "protection money" to armed government gunthugs, to keep them from stealing it without arresting you... LOL! :)