How the Cape Coral Police Department uses seized money

Do you ever wonder where drug bust money and cash from criminal investigations go?

Well, the Cape Coral Police Department broke it down.

“When we work a criminal case, and there’s money or assets attached in the commission of that crime,” explained Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore, “we are entitled to seize either the cash or the equipment or the cars or the merchandise, and we auction it and get the proceeds, and the proceeds go into an account called the Law Enforcement Trust Fund.”

He said that they are allowed to use that money for equipment, anything to help in a protracted investigation, drug prevention and youth programs.

“That’s on the state side, so if it’s a state case and you have asset forfeiture seizure, then it falls under the laws of the state,” Sizemore said.

Sizemore said federal seizures have slightly different rules but operate on the same premise.