A drug dealer was busted in my neighbourhood and my son found his money stash. Should he keep the money ?

Question

The police raided his home,and my son and his friends were playing in his yard when they discovered his stash of money. Should he keep it or turn it in to the police?? It is alot of money and could really help us. What should we do?? What would you do and is it right to keep it?

Answer 1

Unearned wealth is a very difficult burden to carry psychologically. The drug dealer didn't earn the money, so he has no claim to it. The police didn't earn the money, and neither did you, so it shouldn't go to either you or them. The best thing to do with drug money is to donate it to drug rehab centers. On that same note, you must not say that it is drug money, or claim any knowledge about how it was acquired, as these things may be incriminating; also avoid leaving any fingerprints on it, if possible. Just say that you could NOT verify its origins conclusively and wanted to advance a good cause with it. And, of course, claim it on your IRS deductions with a receipt from the charity organization.

Answer 2

The right thing to do is turn it in. It does not belong to you. Enough can't be said for the example you are showing your son. In addition, who knows, some of this money may be marked or serial numbers documented. ( The police typically just use a copy machine and note the money they used in a buy/bust situation). .

By the way, what did the other parents, kids say?

No lecture meant here, but I would not let anyone, or even pets, play in the yard of known drug users/manufacturers. There could be all kinds of bad things in the yard such as syringes, containers, or ? from their activities.

Answer 3

Man that is rough. Well first I probably wouldn't go online flaunting that I have some drug dealers stash... Its probably a moral decision you'll have to make, but do you want your son to grow up thinking it is ok to take other people's money, or drug money, or other people's drug money? It seems like if YOU found it, pretend it never happened... but your son found it so maybe a good time for a life lesson for him that is worth more than the money? Know it sounds a bit Hallmark Channel of an answer, but its true I think...

Answer 4

I actually dropped it, and after speaking to police, they determined the drug dealer was caught with his cash. Please mail the remaining currency to :
kidding, but it was meant to be. And it happened. Todays society is run by money. And almost EVERY bill thatc passes your hand has traces of many kinds of dope, urine, etc. So, I would not feel bad; someone, or some force, intended the chain of events to occour. This gift comes in the form of a moral test. Do you know the money's orgins for a fact? If so, someone else might too.

Answer 5

In my state you are supposed to hand it over to the Police, and get a receipt. After one year, if it is not claimed, it belongs to you as the finder. Your legal responsibility is probably the same, your moral responsibility is up to you. You have to ask, what is the chance of the drug dealer claiming the cash? What is the chance that he will return later and want the cash? I'd suggest that you check out the legal way, as everyone that knows about the money has a mouth, and the dealer, will know what happened. If it is turned in, and a year passes, then the money is turned over to you, hopefully the dealer, will not come and look for it, especially if it is divided up among several children.

Answer 6

I haven't seen any laws that sez you have to turn it in. Think about the kid's,what happens if he gets off and goes after the money.What if he is the middleman and he owes the Supplyer, their gonna want their money or some satifaction wether it be the dealer or the kid's and I think that would be the dealer first. I'm 58 ide keep the money.

Answer 7

Although it could help you and it's tempting to keep it, I think you need to turn it in for two reasons; one, you know it's the right thing to do, and two, you don't want to teach your son that it's okay to keep what he finds when it doesn't rightfully belong to him, no matter what it is. Also, you may be given some kind of cash reward for turning it in (though I don't know this for sure). If you don't turn it in and it's somehow discovered that you found the money and didn't turn it in, I'm sure you could face legal consequences.

Answer 8

For two reasons you turn it in.

1) Keeping the money is a crime because it is part of crime scene evidence. You could be in for some charges if you kept it. They would also make you pay a fine and whatever money you spent.

2) While the money could be used for good, it is blood money. Do you want that on your conscience. People somewhere along the lines lost their life physically or spiritually with that money.

Turn it in! By keeping it, you are teaching your children a terrible lesson.

Answer 9

Turn it in as "found". Most police departments will give you the cash after 6 months or less (depending upon statutes and policy) if the cash is unclaimed.
Personally...too bad the kid found it with witnesses or else I'd be suggesting another tract to take. However unless you want Bo-Bo the Killer Dope Dealer to make bond, come to your house and demand the money...I'd turn it in.

Answer 10

first of all, do not tell anyone.
second, what money?

if you turn it in, it will just go the same way all money that doesn't have a bank label on it....a police officer's pocket.

He'll think the officers found it, and split it between them anyway.

there is no morale decision involved about finding a drug dealer's money, unless he was a friend. afterall, the government just pockets it anyway.
just don't put it in the bank if it is a large sum.
buy your groceries with it, for the next year or so.

and tell your son you turned it in.

all these people who say turn it it, probably never met a drug dealer, nor know what really occurs during a drug bust. Most of that money, unless you are in a very small town where you only have maybe two police officers, would have even made it to the station.
keep it.

if they raided his home, and took him to jail, they have more than enough evidence to put him away. you turning in his money, is just more paper work, that no one is going to want to do, when it will be easier for them to keep it.