Minnesota Law Enforcers Net $6.8 Million from Forfeitures in 2014

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota law enforcement agencies scooped up $6.8 million in proceeds from criminal forfeitures in 2014.

State Auditor Rebecca Otto released the accounting Tuesday of the nearly 6,900 forfeitures associated with criminal cases and convictions. Both the number of forfeitures and net assets seized was down slightly from the year before.

Forfeitures are typically associated with drug crimes and drunken driving. Most were cars, cash or guns. Not all forfeitures are permanent so the value of the seized property is actually higher than the amount gained by the agency.

The Minnesota State Patrol had the most forfeitures with nearly 1,000. More than 320 police agencies had at least one forfeiture.

Otto's report shows a few cases where more than $100,000 in cash was seized and plenty where pricey cars were taken.