But the new law will let them seize cash from joint accounts too.

Currently the police can seize cash if they believe it amounts to the proceeds of crime, but not other goods that have been bought with the money.

But officials think seizing cash would breach parts of the convention protecting the right to property and a fair trial.

This time officers seized cash sums in three different denominations of currency: 36,066, $10,600 and €1,400.

But in 147 incidents, police seized cash, jewelry, cell phones and automobiles even though no contraband was found and the motorist was not charged with any crime.