Ok, so I understand that when there is enough evidence to arrest the property owner, there is also enough evidence for a criminal forfeiture, so my concern up there does not happen in practice.

Also, whatever judgement happens, it's initiated by the owner, so there isn't an issue with timing.

That clarifies a bit how it works.

Anyway, the idea that just having large quantities of money creates strong suspicion of drug crimes that appears again and again on that linked document is beyond disgusting.