(TheProudRepublic.com) – In what seems like an outrageous case of police abusing their powers, a legal battle has erupted in Indiana following an incident where police officers intercepted a FedEx package, discovered $42,000 inside, and subsequently confiscated it.
The police kept the case despite lacking evidence of any criminal activity associated with the funds, which were destined for the proprietors of a jewelry distribution firm to whom the money was owed, WND reports.
The litigation is being pursued by the Institute for Justice (IJ) in an Indiana state court on behalf of Henry and Minh Cheng, who traverse the country marketing jewelry to various retailers.
“They have never done business in Indiana. Yet today, they are fighting in Indiana state court to get back more than $42,000 seized from their company’s parcel that was routed through the FedEx shipping hub in Indianapolis,” stated the IJ.
The incident is part of a broader pattern where police are alleged to have habitually inspected FedEx parcels and appropriated any discovered cash.
“It’s a profitable practice. Since 2022 alone, Indiana has begun proceedings to forfeit more than $2.5 million from in-transit parcels, and the state has already raked in approximately $1 million from those parcels,” the IJ reported.
In court, the Marion County prosecutor has suggested that the cash might be associated with illicit activities. This has necessitated that the rightful owners travel extensive distances to Indiana to validate their claim to the money.
“The Indiana government cannot take money from people just because a shipping company routes it through Indiana,” argued IJ Attorney Marie Miller.
“Henry and Minh have never been to Indiana or done business in Indiana, but now they have to defend against a forfeiture action in Indiana, without the state bothering to identify an Indiana crime that it can allege the money is linked to,” she added.
The situation arose when a customer in Virginia delayed payment before agreeing to settle the debt in cash.
The payment was sent through FedEx, passed through Indiana, and was seized after a police dog signaled the presence of the cash inside the package.
“This scheme is one of the most predatory we have seen, and it’s past time to put a stop to it. It’s illegal and unconstitutional for Indiana to forfeit in-transit money whose only connection to Indiana is the happenstance of FedEx’s shipping practices,” said IJ Senior Attorney Sam Gedge.
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