Well, that would be great if it were true. It isn't in Indiana. The only way money can be seized is within the confines of drugs, weapons, something that probable cause makes it possible. It's the same at airports. Again, this is a two edged sword with a border entry. Are you smuggling large sums of money out of or into your country to avoid taxes, or money laundering so to speak. But on a traffic stop, the drugs or probably cause to believe drugs and the money are connected. The money is counted, receipt given, and upon your charges being dropped, money is returned. Now, if it goes to court, that could be awhile...sometimes years. There may be rogue counties along the Canadian border doing this, but it isn't legal. Chicago's Cook County was dinged awhile back on a traffic speed trap they had going on.... Time will catch up to them if they are doing this. As for law enforcement in general, I'm am glad now that I have had a year to reflect. I enjoyed for the most part all of my 35 yrs, but the new generation, they need a big kick in the *** to learn to respect those who pay their salaries. They are quick to escalate a situation into an arrest. This will soon catch up to them as well. Just yesterday at an intersection in Ohio, I observed state police working an accident scene. I am no big man, in height anyway, but I saw 4 state troopers take 11/2 hrs to work the scene, not one was above my height, and one a female. I don't want to get into that political argument, but if they had a resistor, it would take everyone of them to make that arrest. If they would fight the guy, which they will not. Training today takes them to the belt, tazor, asp, baton, gun.... It happens just that quick. The troopers I grew up with, were big men. They didn't have a problem setting you straight. You really didn't want to mess with them. Our equal rights has created this mess. If you can't physically handle yourself, you should not wear the uniform...and I will leave it at that. Training is everything, and the training today just isn't in the public's best interest.
I guess I should add, agencies apply for grant money for the big ticket items. Drug money seized in a drug raid is usually not all kept my the arresting agency. Most goes to the feds and percentage given back to the arresting agency which goes into the equipment/training fund. Police budgets are managed by the city, county, or state of the jurisdiction you work for. Cicero for example, gets all it's money from the local govt. It can apply for grants for vehicles and equipment, but those grants are usually matching grants. So local govt has to buy in. The Feds are rogue today for sure, and until this country wakes up, and gets rid of the todays leadership, grab your *** and hang on. The fight just might be nearer than most think. Just my .02 from my 35 yrs of LEO work, and 11 yrs in city govt.