In re Seizure of $82,000 More or Less

After police found stolen bank cash and, separately, evidence of drug transport in Lopez-Velez's car, the DEA seized the car and $24,000 in cash and later declared both abandoned when Lopez-Velez failed to pursue his forfeiture challenge; Helen Chappell (plaintiff) purchased the car from the DEA's subsequent sale, and when a mechanic repairing a fuel problem discovered an additional $82,000 hidden in the car's fuel tank, the mechanic reported it and the DEA seized that money too. The Chappells sought return of the money as innocent owners, while the government sought forfeiture as drug proceeds, and the Chappells moved for summary judgment.