The Ohio House and Senate are considering bills that would significantly impact law enforcement's ability to fight crime. Civil Forfeiture is a tool that law enforcement uses to seize contraband, instrumentalities, and proceeds of crime from criminals. 

Drug traffickers are well aware of the gaps in the law. If they do not actually possess drugs and only possess money, they cannot be charged with a crime. Forfeiture laws permit law enforcement to fill in those gaps by taking the profits out of crime through forfeiture of the trafficker's drug tools and money. Law enforcement often confronts people who are clearly drug traffickers but are not in possession of drugs. These traffickers will have money that reeks of drugs, small baggies, scales, and customer lists, but no actual drugs.  Without Civil Forfeiture, these criminals would be allowed to continue their illegal activity.  In the midst of the current opiate epidemic, we need every tool we have to save lives and stop drug traffickers. 

Proponents of these bills heavily criticize law enforcement's use of forfeited funds. We use the funds to provide community education, safety programs, law enforcement training, and assist crime victims through the difficult process of seeking justice. Forfeitures fund programs that would otherwise be paid for by taxpayers, reducing the burden that crime places on society.  

Tell the members of the Ohio House and Senate that eliminating Civil Forfeiture takes away a necessary tool in the war on crime. These bills are a drug dealer’s dream.