Decades ago I went to a police auction one time where they had a number of scales and balances that had been confiscated from illegitimate dealers of contraband

Decades ago I went to a police auction one time where they had a number of scales and balances that had been confiscated from illegitimate dealers of contraband when they were raided & busted. Whenever there is of more of an item than there might be buyers, the best deals can be more likely. I wanted one or more for my employer's chem lab. I was a legitimate operator recognized by first responders. Previewing the merchandise, there was one with a gram or two of loose cannabis in the carrying case. A number of people noticed this. The cops didn't clean it out or do anything, they just said depending on who buys it they'll just confiscate it again in the future. I got a couple of the lab-grade models and just left the evidence stickers on them when we put them to use. Another time there were lots of T-tops from the popular Trans-Ams and Corvettes of the time which were commonly stolen so drivers often needed cheaper replacements from used parts dealers. These buyers got great deals at the auction since nobody else knew exactly which cars they would fit, and the cops fully realized these were the same dealers having them stolen-to-order when a victim came in wanting one they didn't have in stock. Everybody was making money except the victims whose losses were exacerbated by the system.