United States v. One 1997 Mercedes, E420

Ricky Black and his girlfriend, Tara Rudd, (“Claimants”) appeal from the denial of their motion to dismiss the government’s civil forfeiture complaint for failing to comply with 21 U.S.C. § 888 (c), which requires the government to file a complaint seeking forfeiture of conveyances seized for a “drug-related offense” within 60 days after the claimant files a claim and cost bond. We must determine whether the laundering of drug money qualifies as a “drug-related offense” for purposes of 21 U.S.C. § 888 (c). We conclude that it does in this case and, therefore, we reverse.

I.

Ricky Black (“Black”) is an “exotic car” dealer who allegedly used his business to launder money for a drug trafficking organization. 1 Members of the drug ring gave Black cash proceeds from drug sales, which Black deposited into his account in amounts small enough to evade federal reporting requirements (ie., under $10,-000). Black then purchased cars with the drug money, “leased” them to members of the drug ring under sham lease agreements, and registered the cars under false names (or failed to register them at all) to *1131 conceal the vehicles’ true ownership. Black retained a commission of 7%…