Cops Ordered to Return Over $1 Million Seized From Innocent WomanFederal government also ordered to pay nearly $40k in legal fees Mishra gave the money to her future business partners, a married couple, to transport from California to New Jersey for her. The couple was pulled over for speeding along the way. What should have been a standard traffic stop completely turned Mishras life upside down. The officer, suspecting drug involvement, called in drug-sniffing dogs. Trace amounts of illegal drugs were found on the bills. The officers felt this was enough reason to seize Mishras money, even though studies show that up to 90% of U.S. paper money contains traces of cocaine. The couple was released without charges, but only after agreeing to relinquish the cash. Mishra filed a lawsuit in the federal district court in Nebraska and won. She was awarded $1.07 million, which covers the amount that was unlawfully seized from her plus interest. Now U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon, the same judge who ordered police to return Mishras cash, has ordered the federal government to pay $39,035 to cover her legal fees. Mishras ordeal happened because of civil asset forfeiture laws, which allow law enforcement to seize property that is suspected of being linked to criminal activity. One does not have to be charged with anything to permanently lose their cars, homes, or cash. Heres how civil asset forfeiture works: A police officer pulls a car over for speeding. The officer thinks he smells marijuana and seizes money and perhaps other property from the vehicle. The officer (or other law enforcement agent) writes and signs a statement or affidavit explaining the situation and reasons for the seizure of the property. That statement is used to show the courts the link between the alleged criminal behavior and the seized property. Lily Dane is a staff writer for The Daily Sheeple, where this first appeared. Her goal is to help people to Wake the Flock Up! 