We're In the Money

Those of us who rarely see large amounts of cash in person, and certainly not in our own bank accounts or paychecks, feel astounded at the amount of cash that is involved with drug trafficking. These people carry around wads of bills that could pay an average guy’s mortgage for a year, get him a brand new Hyundai, and buy clothes for the family to boot. It staggers the mind to see the giant stashes of cash that are recovered. How do they get it all?

Well, they built a better mousetrap. They provided a product that is so immensely popular that it sells and sells and sells. What’s more, they don’t pay any taxes on it or on any of their employees, so they get to keep most of what they make.

For years now, whenever cash and property are confiscated in a drug raid, the money has been used in an appropriate manner: to fund drug education programs. It’s been a good usage, overall. But our State Legislature is convinced now that there are other good usages that the money could fund as well. The bill passed overwhelmingly and will be sent to Governor Snyder to sign.

This bill would allow the confiscated cash to be used for law enforcement purposes. "I think this is great," said Sen. Rick Jones (R - Grand Ledge), head of the Michigan Senate's judiciary committee. "Now [the money] can be used to keep police officers on the street and in these times when it's so tough to keep officers on the street this should be a real aid."

Captain Ray Hall of the Lansing Police said that, “"It gives us options. If we do get a case that has significant dollars associated with it, we're able to now spend those dollars on training, on equipment, on personnel. That [money] could make the difference between one of my officers receiving the type of training that they need to be safer out there, to be more proactive out there and deliver a higher quality of police service.”

In 2010 the Michigan police departments took in a little over $21 million in confiscated drug money.

But 26 lawmakers voted against it. Some are afraid that once it gets into the hands of the police, it will get used for other areas, and not just related to fighting drug abuse and its problems. Hopefully wisdom will rule in each force’s decision.