Ras Cates and Lizmixell Batista

She worked hard for the money. A judge has ordered the Miami Police Department to return over $19,000 its officers took from a stripper during a traffic stop.

According to the Miami Herald, police seized a cache of weapons from businessman Ras Cates during a traffic stop in May. His wife, Lizmixell Batista, was holding nearly $20,000 in cash during the stop.

Police seized the cash and arrested the couple. Cops even bragged about the arrest to a local news reporter.

But Batista sued the police department and showed proof that she earned the money legally as a licensed exotic dancer at the Cheetah Club in Miami, where Cates also works.

Lawyers for the couple said Batista made “significant cash tips” at the club.

The judge ruled in the couple’s favor, saying there was no probable cause to take her money, and ordered the police department to return the cash pronto.

No word on whether the judge ordered the police to return Cates’ guns.