Miami-Dade Police Department v. Forfeiture of $15,875.51

CORTIÑAS, J.

Miami-Dade Police Department (“MDPD”) appeals the trial court’s ruling finding no probable cause at an adversarial preliminary hearing in furtherance of a civil forfeiture motion. We reverse.

The underlying case arose when two Miami-Dade police detectives (collectively “detectives”) stopped a vehicle for having illegally tinted windows. The vehicle, later discovered to be rented, was driven by the sole occupant, Cedric Davenport (“Davenport”). As the detectives approached, they detected a strong odor of raw marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A search revealed a baggie that…