NCJ Number
91913
Date Published
1983
Length
174 pages
Annotation
This report discusses Federal law enforcement agencies' care and sale practices for vehicles, vessels, and aircraft seized for transporting controlled substances and illegal aliens. It recommends actions to correct poor storage practices and lengthy forfeiture procedures.
Abstract
Federal agencies, principally the Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and the Drug Enforcement Administration, substantially increased their seizures of conveyances between 1979 and 1981. However, these conveyances often devalue rapidly after seizure and are sold for a fraction of their value because of the lengthy forfeiture process, poor sales practices, and inadequate storage, maintenance, and protection. The net proceeds received for these assets are further diminished by storage costs paid for long periods -- the judicial process for uncontested forfeiture of conveyances valued over $10,000 averages 18 months. Moreover, the funding process for the care and protection of seized conveyances is difficult to administer and encourages agency personnel to spend the least amount possible. A lack of storage space has caused INS to stop seizure operations periodically. Finally, few management data are available to assess problems or monitor progress. The General Accounting Office recommends that Congress enact legislation to expedite the forfeiture process by removing the administrative forfeiture limit, institute improved funding mechanisms for preservation costs, and require agencies to report on their inventories of seized conveyances. It also suggests that the Departments of the Treasury and Justice improve seized conveyance management and shorten the time required for forfeiture. The appendixes provide a proposed statutory amendment, an analysis of current legislation governing seizures, and agency comments.