In an action that appears to be a first for the nation, federal prosecutors are attempting to seize 117,705 frequent-flier miles of a convicted marijuana trafficker.
“I think it’s ingenious,” said U.S. Attorney Lynne A. Battaglia, whose office recently filed the forfeiture claim. Prosecutors maintain that the miles should be converted into plain tickets and given to law enforcement agencies.
A federal judge will decide whether the miles should be considered as assets and confiscated under forfeiture laws. Recently, the Supreme Court upheld a Michigan ruling that allows prosecutors to seize property used in a crime even when the owner was not a participant.