Myers v. Real Property at 1518 Holmes Street

Chandler, Justice:

*234This appeal involves the constitutionality of South Carolina Civil Forfeiture Statute, S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-520,1 et seq. (Cum. Supp. 1990). Circuit Court found no due process violation but held that operation of the statute constitutes a “taking” of property without compensation.

We affirm in part and reverse in part.

FACTS

From November, 1989 until February, 1990, the Lexington County Sheriffs Department conducted an undercover investigation of drug trafficking in an area of West Columbia known as “Happy Town.” As a result of the investigation, “affidavits for seizure” were…