The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and Tewksbury Police Department plan to take the [motel]— worth well over $1 million — because on some 30 dates since 1994 guests staying at the motel have been arrested for drug-related crimes. During that period, the Caswells have rented more than 125,000 rooms.
The government doesn’t claim that the Caswells are guilty of any crime. The government only says that federal civil forfeiture laws give them the power to take the property.
It's just guilt by association. And not even much of an association. Local grocery stores better hope none of those criminals bought milk at their establishments. Association, don't you know.
If the law didn't say this was legal, we'd call it a crime. We still should. What the Hell is happening to us?