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Internal Controls - Drug Enforcement Administration's Use of Forfeited Personal Property

NCJ Number
104981
Date Published
1986
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The reported study evaluated the adequacy of controls governing the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA's) conversion of forfeited personal property to official government use, using the Dallas field division office as a case study.
Abstract
The study was performed at DEA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and the DEA Dallas field division office. The researchers observed how forfeited property was being used in the Dallas Office, interviewed officials, and documented DEA's internal controls over seized and forfeited personal property being converted to government use. The study observed that approximately $14,000 of seized personal property had been converted to government uses that were apparently inconsistent with DEA policy; e.g., curio cabinets, end and coffee tables, and other items had been used in the office of the special agent in charge. A discussion of this situation with DEA headquarters officials in July 1986 indicated that most of the property in question was misused. DEA's policy and procedures allow field offices to convert forfeited personal property to official government use if it has 'operational value.' This term, however, is not adequately defined, and until DEA issued its interim guidelines, personal property was being converted by field offices without justifying the need for the property, and there was no monitoring of such conversions. Because of DEA's prompt corrective action, this study is not making recommendations at this time but will continue to monitor the situation. Illustrative photographs and a list of the forfeited property converted to government use in the Dallas office.