[alistairSH]

The right of the people to be secure in their ... effects, against unreasonable ... seizures, shall not be violated

The building was part of the person's effects. I don't understand how your argument is legal (not that I don't believe you - civil forfeiture has been going on long enough that I assume SCOTUS has heard a sampling of cases).

It beggars belief that this practice has stood for decades.

[mysterydip]

I agree with you and think it's a crazy practice. I was just saying how they justify it (flaws aside)