Tampa Uses Seized Drug Profits to Raze Dozen Crack Houses
The city used $24,800 in seized drug profits and fines Monday to finance the bulldozing of 12 crack houses in the second phase of a high-profile crackdown on drug dealers.
Police said evidence of drugs or drug paraphernalia was found in each of the houses.
“We’re using money we’ve taken from the dealers and sticking it to the dealers,” Mayor Sandy Freedman said.
About 100 dilapidated, abandoned houses are in the legal process moving toward condemnation, a time-consuming and costly process, the mayor said.
“It’s making a dent. It keeps drug dealers on the move, forcing them out into the streets. It’s easier and safer for law enforcement to deal with them out in the open. And it’s cleaning up neighborhoods,” Freedman said.
In May, Tampa demolished 54 houses to kick off the mayor’s war against drugs. The program became a model for other cities, including Miami, which began a similar campaign during the summer.
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