Posted on 05/08/2022 11:23:26 AM PDT by Libloather
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- A Pennsylvania armored car company has settled its lawsuit that accused the San Bernardino County sheriff of illegally seizing over $1 million in cash it was transporting from medical marijuana businesses.
The settlement for no financial compensation announced Friday allows Empyreal Logistics to resume services after two transports of money were stopped and cash was seized in November and December, The Sun of San Bernardino reported.
Deputies said in a search warrant that there was probable cause a felony had been committed when the vehicle was stopped Nov. 16 and $700,000 was seized.
Although California is one of 37 states that allow medical use of marijuana and one of 18 that legalized its recreational use, the drug remains illegal under federal law.
Because big banks and credit card companies have shunned the industry, it largely operates on a cash basis. As a result, some businesses have turned to armored cars to transport large quantities of cash.
In a statement, the sheriff's department said it recognized Empyreal acted in good faith.
“Both sides also acknowledge that Empyreal is part of the solution to help with financial transparency and that San Bernardino Deputies are not highway robbers as previously reported in the media,” the statement said.
The company previously reached an agreement in which participating federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration, agreed to return the money.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
I wonder how much swag for LEOs was spent out of the $700K.
The one time the Media was right.
Well, it only makes sense that if you’re looking for a vehicle carrying lots of cash (which, as we all know, is probable cause to suspect a felony), you’d naturally choose an armored car, wouldn’t you?
Law enforcement must have used Soros attorneys to lose out on all of the money. Or, rather, they forgot they were already part of the protection racket and gave the money back.
Why should a county sheriff be concerned with federal law and (2) why should a county sherriff be in a position to profit from his interpretation of and interest in federal law?
Because they get to share in a portion of the largess they seize when enforcing federal law. (Civil Asset Forfeiture)
Exactly my point. That’s wrong. They should not have a conflict of interest and shouldn’t even care much about federal law. If the feds want to enforce laws, they have their own agencies to enforce them.
This aint news. SBPD is as crooked as they come.
What the hell. Make it illegal to electronically transfer funds so they are forced to use cash.
Then arrest them for using cash.
“Both sides also acknowledge that Empyreal is part of the solution to help with financial transparency and that San Bernardino Deputies are not highway robbers...”
Whether both sides agree or not doesn’t mean the Sheriffs are NOT highway robbers. Give the money back, then maybe we will be inclined to believe you are not highway robbers. Until then, I’m staying the hell out of San Bernadino.
That is a good thing to find out. Asset forfeiture laws are $#iT.
States rights? LOL
And since when does a California sheriff have such an interest in following Federal law? Or did I miss some nuance?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.