PEKIN, Ill. – Pekin Police say a vehicle recently seized from its owner because it was used in illegal drug trafficking, is now in the department’s possession to use as a covert crime-fighting tool.
Pekin City Council Monday night authorized the police department to convert the vehicle so it can be used for surveillance in ongoing and future narcotics investigations.
Chief Seth Ranney told 25 News in a text that he won’t release a photo of the vehicle or provide further information, because “doing so would compromise the vehicle and the safety of the officers utilizing [the] vehicle.”
Asset forfeiture laws allow authorities to seize property involved in criminal activity.
Pekin is hiring Storm OffRoad of Morton to convert the vehicle for the police department’s use. The cost is nearly $25,000, coming from money seized in the asset forfeiture process.
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