Can the police seize a car when no drugs have been found in it and it is in someone elses name.?

Question

My uncle's car was seized by the local police officers today. There were no drugs found in the car at no point. They said they were taking the vehicle because his son had been charged with distributing drugs. However someone who is in prison said they got their drugs from him, so now they arrest my cousin and take the vehicle. The car is in my uncle's name and they never found any drugs in his possession or in the car. I have my criminal justice degree with a concentration in Law and I don't see how this is so.

Answer 1

Different departments have different policies on seizing property, in my dept if you are caught using a vehicle in the commission of a felony it will be seized. Does not have to be drug related, any felony will do. Get the police report.

Answer 2

Obviously a judge signed off on this, and they did take the car, so yes they can.

Anything can be happening to the vehicle right now, from being taken apart bit by bit to find hidden compartments to running lab tests or a K-9 through it.

You have your CJ degree with a concentration in law, do you really think the only PC they have against you cousin is that someone in jail says he''s a dealer?

Some jurisdictions have strict laws on allowing the state to seize assets used in crime...impounding the car makes sure it doesn't go walkabout.

What paperwork was uncle given when the car was impounded?

Answer 3

yes i think, my father is a policed officer and it is because the person who was using the car might have been using drugs at the time??? i think i am not sure????

Answer 4

It was probably siezed as a "criminal tool" if your cousin used this car, or is thought to have used this car, for drug dealing even if your cousin doesn't own it.

Answer 5

Pretty common after asset seizure went into affect for dope dealers to put their vehicles in someone else name. The bright idea is that if the car is not in the dopers name it can't be taken. Not true. A financial investigation can often prove who purchased the vehicle and who it actually belonged to.If your cousin is on welfare, as most dope dealers are, and can't prove a legitimate means of obtaining the money for the purchase of the vehicle. Say bye bye to the car. Just tell your cousin that it's the price of doing business.

Answer 6

they are proabably gona do a more extensive search like in the seats and all that and they are also checking that the car isnt a stolen one