NCJ Number
127204
Date Published
1990
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The Federal forfeiture program has the objectives of law enforcement, improved intergovernmental cooperation, and revenue for the war on drugs.
Abstract
The U.S. Attorney General has made forfeiture a top priority and has moved to increase the forfeiture effectiveness of all Department of Justice agencies. The Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture has been established to oversee all aspects of the department's forfeiture program. Forfeiture punishes crime by taking away the profits of illegal conduct and can immobilize crime syndicates by confiscating cars, boats, aircraft, houses, currency, and other properties necessary to syndicate operation. Through the equitable sharing program, forfeiture has produced dramatic advances in the level of cooperation among Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Federal legislation governs the use of forfeited property and also authorizes the Department of Justice to share forfeited property with cooperating foreign governments. Of over $600 million forfeited in fiscal year 1989, $281 million went to Federal prison construction, $174 million to State and local law enforcement agencies, $85 million to Federal law enforcement agencies, and $30 million to hire additional Federal drug prosecutors. Of the over $600 million, about $520 million came from seizures of cash, bank accounts, and other financial instruments.