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Patrick Manning reports on a few agencies that are abusing the allocation of some of the millions seized by law enforcement each year
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-- region doing -- to El Paso, Texas and Patrick Manning one of our reporters with Fox News Latino is standing by.
And you know what we're -- happy stories we don't always understand the context that we get the full story now.
Bundles of seized cash go there tell me about this.
-- terrorists you know being down in the port eventually get used all the time of people.
Driving through the port of entry in all the study and one of the ice agents are customs agents uncovers like 100000 dollars.
-- that many people don't know is that much of the funds actually come right back to the agency that -- that whether if federal agencies or local agency.
But some critics out there don't like that idea how I talk to both agencies in a critic take a look.
In 2011.
Over thirty million dollars in cash was seized at the -- border from people heading to Mexico.
So after any currency -- where does all of that money go.
You might be surprised to learn that it doesn't always go back to taxpayers.
And some say that's not right.
The federal government has turned police -- into policing for profit note that Allstate is an up -- up.
State and local agencies get to keep the -- species.
If it's a federal -- Money stays at the federal level.
And -- locals and feds make the bust everybody gets a piece of the pie.
At the end of September 2011.
The department of justice and treasury.
Had over one billion dollars in the bank from -- cash and assets.
That money is supposed to help crack down on crime.
Going towards things like new vehicles.
Canine -- and computers.
We're able to buy these things earlier than having to wait -- whole process.
A racing funds to get some critics argue this influx of quick cash maybe more of a -- -- a blessing.
That the money changes the way cops do their jobs tracking down cash.
Rather than crux.
So instead of putting police officers on the street to deal -- crimes like rape and robbery and burglary and car -- They put officers on the street to seek out assets in some instances.
Agencies that made some pretty extravagant purchases -- county in Georgia.
The sheriff's department spent 90000 dollars on a Dodge Viper to promote their drug awareness program.
One former -- DA in east Texas spent some -- -- cash on a Margarita machine for some fun at the county fair.
Since that incident Texas forfeiture laws have -- but it's not all bad here -- all -- that money helps fight the good fight.
We have dedicated officers.
Who do their job diligently doesn't matter whether we're gonna get proceeds from any type of seizures.
And -- -- taxpayer some serious cash.
Yesterday hair's still a tax -- loves these but I love these laws because overall they did -- keep that.
Taxes lower the costs lower for the police department so like -- said in the story they can buy things like new police cars new technologies nutrients for for officers.
And you know we want to mention -- we've we've all covered this story is down by the border in different states.
We're bullets are coming across -- that drug -- down there and and I would hope.
That these municipalities can use that money to take care of themselves as well because -- -- really had to step up border.
Not just we're -- for protection for our own American citizens down there.
Hey tell -- this -- council that money.
That's good question and end I really wanted to get back into one of the backers -- they -- out of bed -- -- sort of industry went.
Did you make it's easier when did you make -- these -- -- just take -- back -- -- a break room.
And -- -- -- through all of that individually like two or three times and it it put it -- -- money machine.
It goes into.
Did settled for a night certified -- they can hold the funds.
And what about deciding what is block with the seize money who makes that decision -- -- the car that you showed us and so on and so forth.
Yet those actually you must go through approval of the City Council so -- here in El Paso.
-- before I before they get the funds granted to them they've they create a budget from different departments for example they'll pass -- police department will write up like.
A long list of things that they hadn't been able to bottom of the journal finds -- handed over to -- council.
And in the council gives them the -- -- and the different items.
I know that typically the -- -- found going to Mexico rather than up to the United States that actually makes a lot of sense to me though because if you look at the economic differences between the two countries but is there any other reason.
Yeah and the reason why is.
Sadly Americans just love drugs and there's a large demand for drugs and of course.
Many of those court orders are along here along the border -- passes the -- one we've heard several stories about.
The south Tucson the new -- -- -- -- another major court or so in order to get those drugs out -- Americans must that must send.
Money down there.
So that's of course why.
-- agents are uncovering bundles and bundles of cash and that puts a whole lot of -- and some guys that are gonna tell you.
Yet and a lot of danger in between and also the unusual places where they hide the money Harris only side tires.
In underneath that ends ends sometimes they can't even really make out the American currency or not because it's so whether it's.
OK Patrick Manning great job covering that story we appreciate it people can learn more about it on Fox News Latino thank you very much good to see you help.
