(Raw Story)

Three Philadelphia homeowners have sued the city, which targeted their homes for civil forfeiture after their relatives were picked up on minor drug charges.

Law enforcement has seized $64 million in property between 2002 and 2012 from thousands of residents – many of whom were never charged with any crimes – in the most aggressive forfeiture unit in the nation.

The city’s revenue generated from seized property dwarfs amounts from similar programs in other cities, reported Forbes.

Philadelphia collects nearly $6 million a year from forfeiture, while Kings County, New York, generated $1.2 million in 2010 and Los Angeles County grabbed $1.2 million in property that same year – although each municipality has far more people.

The city applies about 40 percent of the seized property to law enforcement payroll, including salaries for prosecutors who run the civil forfeiture program.

Chris and Markelos Sourovelis were evicted from their home for more than a week in March after their son was caught selling $40 in heroin outside, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The couple was allowed to return if they banned […]