A new inspector general report from the Justice Department alleged that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is engaging in shady asset forfeiture practices.
Now, the Washington Post editorial board is calling on the justice system to act, claiming it's clear that the police cannot police themselves.
The board wrote that when the practice is abused, "innocent people's property can be seized, often without criminal charges."
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"Forfeitures" can take place when police obtain high-priced items like cars, jewelry, and cash to prove the case. Some assets are sold off in auctions, but cash often disappears, according to reports. The DEA is the most persistent abuser of the practice, the IG report shows.
The DOJ has acted swiftly in response to the report, pausing all forfeitures by the DEA.
"But the report underscores what has long been obvious: Asking law enforcement officers to police themselves on forfeitures does not work," the Board said. "Lawmakers need to reform the nation’s forfeiture programs to protect Americans’ liberties."
One of the findings is that the DEA is getting tips from commercial airline companies about passengers who book flights within 48 hours. That information alone is enough for agents to stop the passengers from searching for their bags. If cash is found, the DEA would seize it and share some of the money with the airline's source.
"It is legal for the agency to use confidential sources for leads and to compensate them, but DEA policy specifies that those sources must 'provide information independently' from the agency," the Board explained. "The idea is to prevent forming long-term relationships with sources who seek payoffs and are therefore eager to raise suspicions about passengers."
The DEA also tends to ignore documenting any of the encounters, according to reports.
The board argued it isn't about poor recordkeeping. It's about an agency that turns a blind eye to racial profiling and corruption.
They're demanding the legislature act, though the new incoming administration may not act, given that Donald Trump's first administration "rolled back forfeiture reforms."
