Setting aside the normal disgust I have for this process, I did some googling to make sure there wasn't some important reason why this isn't a repulsive process.

"the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984.[14] This law permitted local and federal law enforcement agencies to share seized assets "... it appears to be motivated by all the wrong reasons.

It has origins in English law and has pretty much been used in a tyrannical way the entire time. I tried to see the other side at least.