When it comes to environmental regulation compliance, the Department of Homeland Security isn’t playing — as evidenced by a recent federal raid of a North Carolinian’s home to confiscate a Land Rover that violated EPA emission rules.
Jennifer Brinkley said she saw a line of law enforcement vehicles approaching her home and wondered what was wrong, the local WBTV reported. Homeland Security agents then went to her 1985 Land Rover Defender and lifted the hood.
“They popped up the hood and looked at the Vehicle Identification Number and compared it with a piece of paper and then took the car with them,” she said, WBTV reported.
She told Fox News that she was told the agents seized the vehicle because they thought it violated the Clean Air Act — though at the time, they weren’t completely sure. She also said her vehicle was just one of 40 that feds seized in various locations that same day for the same reason.
Ms. Brinkley told Fox News that she has no idea where the vehicle is now and that feds won’t tell her.
“I’m sad because I owned the car. It’s just an iconic car. I’m in disbelief … and surprised that somebody can come in and take your property,” she told Fox News. “It’s scary, it’s scary when it happens to you.”
WBTV reported that she had invested more than $60,000 in to the vehicle, which she bought online last year. WBTV also clarified that feds were seeking out imported vehicles with altered VINs that didn’t meet Environmental Protection Agency emission laws.
Ms. Brinkley said on Fox News that she had spent considerable money ensuring her vehicle would pass inspection laws and that it was in compliance with emission rules.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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