LANSING, MI (AP)-- Law enforcement agencies across Michigan reported seizing nearly $24 million in assets last year from people suspected of dealing drugs.
The Detroit News reports Sunday that the actual amount may be higher because 56 of 686 agencies failed to respond to the Michigan State Police Asset Forfeiture Report requests.
State police spokeswoman Shanon Banner says of the agencies that responded, 332 reported seizing assets.
Civil forfeiture allows prosecutors can go to civil court to permanently confiscate assets thought to be associated with criminal activity.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy released a report last month calling for a ban against civil forfeiture, saying the state should only allow forfeiture through the criminal court system after there is a conviction.
