You Won’t Believe What Maine Police do With Confiscated Drug Money

When Maine law enforcement agencies seize assets during drug busts or other criminal investigations, there’s a chance they could end up keeping some, or even all, of that money.

It’s a process called asset forfeiture. But it’s not as simple as bagging the cash and calling it a day, though that would be wicked cool, wouldn't it? However, a court has to sign off on it and it can happen through either state or federal channels, WGME said.

Here in Maine, assets can only be permanently taken after someone’s been convicted of a crime, though there are a few rare exceptions to that rule. The news station explained that in cases where local or state agencies team up with federal authorities, they can receive a cut of the proceeds. It's called an "equitable share," and it can add up really freakin' fast.

According to WGME 13, a recent report indicates that more than $800,000 made its way to Maine law enforcement over a 12-month span through the U.S. Department of Justice. That included $94,000 for Maine State Police, $114,000 for the Cape Elizabeth Police Department, and $108,000 for Auburn Police.

But what exactly are police departments in Maine actually doing with all this cash and assets? Well, to be honest with you, some really cool stuff. Maine law enforcement officials say they’ve put forfeited funds to good use. Some agencies have used the cash to cover things like officer-overtime and gear for investigations, including night vision goggles.

And it’s not just about stacks of cash. Sometimes the property itself gets seized, like cars. WGME said that those cars can then end up being repurposed by departments as unmarked police cars. So the next time you get stopped for speeding by a 2001 PT Cruiser, you'll know why.