TAKEN

Law enforcement agencies argue that civil asset forfeitures help fight the war on drugs by directly going for the money that funds large drug enterprises. However, the practice of civil forfeiture has led to widespread issues of every-day citizens having their money and property taken from them, even if they are never charged or convicted of a crime. This series of videos and photographs were produced as part of an investigation at the Greenville News examining the broken system of civil asset forfeitures in the state and how it has allowed agencies to take millions in cash from citizens.

Atlanta rapper lost thousands in civil forfeiture, but fought back and won

Johnnie Grant plays with his twin daughters, Alayna and Raynaon, and his son Yahya, 2 before heading to a music festival to perform in Atlanta June 30, 2018. Grant was headed to Charlotte for a performance when his rental car was pulled over in South Carolina and had $8000 seized by law enforcement. It took him a year in fighting the civil forfeiture in court before he got his money back.

Johnnie Grant plays basketball with his son Da'Shawn and stepson Malachi on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

Yahya Grant and her brother Aliyah catch a ride their father Johnnie's back as he prays on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

Johnnie Grant checks his phone as he waits for his set to begin at the Foam Fusion JamFest in Atlanta on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

Johnnie Grant performs as "Jean D'eau" at the Foam Fusion JamFest in Atlanta on June 30, 2018.

Johnnie Grant performs as "Jean D'eau" at the Foam Fusion JamFest in Atlanta on June 30, 2018.

Highways stops net millions for S.C. law enforcement

Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office deputies unpack seized marijuana and other contraband to show off to local media for a press conference on the success of Operation Rolling Thunder on Friday, May 4, 2018.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright holds a press conference to tell members of the media how much money, drugs, firearms and other contraband was seized during Operation Rolling Thunder on Friday, May 4, 2018.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright holds one of the illegal guns seized during Operation Rolling Thunder during a press conference on Friday, May 4, 2018.

Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office deputies pack up bags of marijuana and other contraband after a press conference on the success of Operation Rolling Thunder on Friday, May 4, 2018.

A collection of seized weapons, drugs and money are on display during a Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office press conference on Operation Rolling Thunder Friday, May 4, 2018.

Charleston tattoo artist calls 911 but lost his money to cops

Isiah Kinloch plays with his dogs in his backyard on Thursday, July 27, 2018. Kinloch called 911 after  a man barged into his apartment and broke a bottle over his head. When cops searched his apartment, they seized $1,800 in cash and kept it after finding an ounce of marijuana. 

Isaih Kinloch cleans, restores and customizes shoes as a side hustle in his home on Sunday, July 29, 2018.

Isaih Kinlock brings a portable bed to his workspace at Artistic Ink tattoo shop in Summerville on Saturday, July 28, 2018.

Isiah Kinloch tattoos a client at Artistic Ink in Summerville on Friday, July 27, 2018.

Robbie Johnson, 7, dances next to his father Isaih Kinloch as he waits for him to set a game up on his iPad at a salon in Summerville on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

Isaih Kinloch holds Oakland Rae Patrick as he hangs out with Jordyn Patrick and Dominique Mccants at Music In Motion Family Fun Center in Summerville for his son's birthday party on Saturday, July 29, 2018.

Isaih Kinloch rollerblades with his son Robbie Johnson, 7, during his birthday party at Music In Motion Family Fun Center on Saturday, July 28, 2018.

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