seizure

Published on: April 11, 2018

Tennessee Legislature Passes Civil Asset Forfeiture Reforms

A bill giving new protections for people involved in civil asset forfeiture has now passed both houses of the Tennessee legislature. If Governor Haslam signs it into law, it may become easier for people to regain property seized by law enforcement.

The bill passed the State Senate with unanimous support and was supported by both civil rights and libertarian groups. “This is a rare bill because you had the ACLU on one side and the Beacon Center on the other, and they both agreed on it,” said Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga), who cosponsored the bill. Continue reading

Published on: November 29, 2017

$300 Million in Drugs Seized, Dropped Off in Port Everglades

by Brian Silber

As part of a series of patrols fighting transnational organized crime operations around Mexico and South America, the US Coast Guard seized cocaine and heroin worth over $300 million. The drugs were collected by multiple Coast Guard cutters patrolling the waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The drugs were offloaded on Tuesday, November 14th as the US Coast Guard Cutter Spencer returned from its three-month voyage to the Pacific.

Published on: November 27, 2017

Jaime Fernandez Del Pino, Julio Arojona Gomez, 8 Others Arrested for Fraud; Justice Department Seizes Cash, Cars, Jewelry

by Brian Silber

Miami-Dade Circuit Court is charging 13 Florida residents with fraud-related charges after law enforcement agents bust a fake credit card factory in Hialeah that federal prosecutors believe is the foundation of a nationwide scam.

Jaime Fernandez Del Pino of Miami reportedly ran the factory together with Julio Arjona Gomez of Miami Gardens. Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud. An accomplice identified as Dayan Borges of Doral faces similar charges.

Published on: November 15, 2017

Major Marijuana Seizures Along US-Mexico Border

by Brian Silber

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents made two major seizures involving the smuggling of marijuana into the United States.

The two separate events resulted in nearly 600 pounds of marijuana being seized, as well as the vehicles the drugs were being transported in. All of the individuals involved were arrested and turned over to the DEA.

Published on: October 13, 2017

Baltimore Customs Seizes More Than $11,000 on Private Aircraft

by Brian Silber

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have seized more than $11,000 in unreported currency from a Nigerian man who was departing the United States aboard a private aircraft. In compliance with privacy laws, the traveler’s name has not been released because he was not charged with a crime.

According to the official report, CBP officers flagged the man for a compliance examination after discovering he had previous federal currency reporting violations. The Nigerian man reportedly failed to fill out a financial reporting form and declare the cash he was carrying as required by federal law. CBP officers found and seized $11,647 in U.S. dollars, Euros, and British pounds. The traveler was released to continue his trip once the seizure was completed.