Indiana Police Accused of Unjust Seizure from FedEx

The Institute for Justice has filed a class action lawsuit against Indianapolis law enforcement, alleging the systematic seizure of cash from FedEx packages without proper justification. The lawsuit claims that police and prosecutors are exploiting one of the largest FedEx hubs in the U.S. to confiscate millions of dollars annually, often without informing package owners of any specific criminal violations. The case centers around Henry and Minh Cheng, who allege that over $42,000 in cash intended for their California jewelry business was seized without explanation. The Chengs' countersuit, filed in Indiana state court, highlights the lack of transparency in the civil asset forfeiture process. After their cash was seized, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office initiated a forfeiture lawsuit but failed to specify which criminal statute the Chengs allegedly violated. The Institute for Justice argues that this practice is predatory and calls for an end to what they describe as a troubling trend in law enforcement. The lawsuit details how the package was flagged as "suspicious" by an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer at the FedEx hub, which led to a K-9 unit's involvement. However, the Chengs contend that the officer's affidavit contained inaccuracies and did not provide a legitimate basis for the seizure. They assert that the Marion County Prosecutor's Office routinely files inadequate forfeiture actions that lack legal grounding and fail to notify package owners appropriately. The Chengs' case raises broader concerns about the civil asset forfeiture laws in Indiana, which allow law enforcement to seize property linked to alleged criminal activity without requiring a conviction or even an arrest. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the practices of law enforcement agencies in the state.