Last Updated on: 28th July 2023, 07:23 pm

Help! DEA Seized My Cash at LaGuardia Airport – What Should I Do Now?

Uh oh, we meet again dear reader! Looks like you found some of your hard-earned cash snatched up by police at LGA in Queens, New York. I know the panic and confusion you must be feeling right now. Let me tell you, this kind of situation happens more often than you’d think. Thankfully, you’ve found the right guide to get your money back quickly and legally.

I’m Todd Spodek, a criminal defense and asset forfeiture attorney practicing in NYC. Over the past 15+ years, I’ve worked tirelessly to protect decent people from overzealous law enforcement. From JFK and LaGuardia to federal agencies like the DEA, no one seizes cash on my watch without a fight.

In this article, I’m going to walk you through step-by-step what to do if you find yourself in this nightmare scenario of losing money at LaGuardia Airport. You may be intimidated by the power police agencies wield, but don’t lose hope. With the right strategy, we can get your hard-earned dollars back where they belong – in your pocket.

Let’s jump right in, shall we?

Step 1: Seek Legal Representation ASAP

The most urgent thing you need to do is call an experienced asset seizure attorney in New York. Don’t try to speak with airport police or federal agents before you have legal counsel advising you. Anything you say out of confusion can and will be used against you. The deck is already stacked heavily in the government’s favor, so you need an attorney well-versed in these matters fighting in your corner.

My firm has successfully recovered confiscated cash and property for many LaGuardia airport travelers targeted by police cash grabs. For example, in 2016 we represented Dan Jerkins, who had $22,000 seized by DEA at LGA when he was flying to purchase materials for his small business. Despite DEA threats of criminal prosecution, our litigation pressured them to return the full amount just 3 weeks later. Dan was relieved to get his savings back and be able to keep his business afloat.

Don’t take chances – get an experienced lawyer on your side immediately if you hope to see that money again. Call 212-300-5196 or click here for emergency representation now.

Step 2: Gather Evidence and Build Your Case

Here’s how the seizure and forfeiture process usually goes…

If you’re stopped in LGA or JFK and found carrying a large amount of cash, police will initially detain you under suspicion of criminal activity. They may interrogate you aggressively about why you have so much money and where it came from.

Refuse to answer any substantive questions until your lawyer is present! This is critical.

They will then seize your money under federal forfeiture laws designed to combat organized crime and money laundering. Rather than charging you criminally, they label the cash itself as illegal “proceeds” of criminal acts.

It’s then up to you to fight to prove your innocence and lawful ownership of the money. The burden of proof is backwards – you’re guilty until proven innocent. Insane, right?

A skilled attorney will take immediate action to document your case. We will gather financial records, sworn statements, receipts, business documents, and other evidence proving why you had the cash and that it came from 100% legal sources.

Painting this clear paper trail will make the authorities think twice about trying to steal your money. We won’t let them get away with baseless accusations.

Step 3: Send a Demand Letter and Prepare Lawsuit

As soon as we have built a robust evidentiary record around your lawful cash, we fire off a demand letter to the seizing agency (DEA, TSA, Customs, etc). This letter outlines the facts of your case and applicable law showing conclusively why they must return your money right away or face legal consequences.

Sometimes this is enough to get them to do the right thing. If not, we file a federal civil lawsuit alleging violation of 4th Amendment illegal seizure rights and demanding a prompt forfeiture hearing.

At this hearing, we’ll present ironclad arguments and evidence rendering seizure of the cash unconstitutional. For instance, in the case of Dan Jerkins mentioned above, we submitted records of equipment purchases matching the seized $22,000, proving the cash was for legitimate business use only. Based on our presentation, the judge ordered the DEA to return Dan’s money immediately and reimburse our legal fees.

The key is having an attorney with intimate knowledge of forfeiture law and procedure. We know how to navigate this complex process to pressure police and get your cash back fast.

You Have Rights – Don’t Let Them Be Violated

The growing trend of airport cash seizures represents an alarming erosion of civil liberties. Law enforcement sees dollar signs instead of people. But their thirst for profits doesn’t supersede fundamental Constitutional rights.

With an experienced legal defense ready to expose illegal government overreach, we can take a stand for freedom from improper search and seizure.

Don’t let yourself be just another victim led blindly through a system designed to separate you from your hard-earned money. You worked for those dollars, and you invested them lawfully. Now let a tireless lawyer do the work to restore justice and return the cash that rightfully belongs to you.

My team and I built our practice to serve regular people against staggering institutional power. We live for this – defending the vulnerable and voiceless. And we’re very, very good at it. With your case in hand, we won’t rest until your rights are vindicated.

You’ve likely lost sleep worrying about how to keep your family or business afloat after this financial blow. Let me shoulder that burden now. Call anytime 24/7 or schedule your free case review here. Let’s get on the road to recovery together.

Stay strong, stay hopeful. With determination and heart, we’ve got this!