Make money out of seized goods

Over 200,000 in seized cigarette sticks destroyed. Why does a government so broke and in the red destroy something of value? Why not pass a law that permits special relabeling of confiscated cigarettes and then selling them to interested retailers? Do we take the money from traffic tickets and burn it? Is stuff confiscated by the police or FBI destroyed? (www.propertyroom.com) Or is it auctioned off? Other items as much as possible could be included in such a law (of course this could not be done with ’knock-off’ shirts, bags, etc). Eliminating waste could get the CNMI back in the black.

John Cole
Garapan, Saipan