NCJ Number
130956
Date Published
1990
Length
55 pages
Annotation
Information gathered by the agencies and components that participate in the Department of Justice forfeiture program and the Department's Assets Forfeiture Fund are presented to explain in detail the program's operational structure, the roles of the individual components in the program, and the program's mission and achievements.
Abstract
The Asset Forfeiture Program has generated over $1.5 billion since 1984. The Department of Justice has distributed over $474 million in cash and nearly $70 million worth of tangible property to State, local, and foreign law enforcement agencies. Asset forfeiture has increased dramatically, and, by the end of fiscal year 1990, the inventory of seized assets was valued at approximately $1.36 billion. Program goals include law enforcement, enhanced cooperation among law enforcement at all levels both domestically and internationally, and the production of revenue for the war on crime as a natural byproduct of the first two program goals. Regarded as a success story, aggressive analysis and assessment of the forfeiture program have been undertaken, and the development of an integrated information system is underway as well. 13 exhibits and 5 appendixes