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Asset Forfeiture: Noncash Property Should be Consolidated Under the Marshals Service

NCJ Number
135899
Date Published
1991
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This report discusses The Departments of Justice and Treasure compliance with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 regarding the joint coordination and consolidation of all seizures of drug related violations.
Abstract
The principal agencies involved in the management and disposal of seized assets are the U.S. Marshals Service in the Justice Department and the U.S. Customs Service in the Treasury Department. To date, duplication of effort continues and potential cost savings are not realized. The Marshals Service and Customs still independently manage and dispose of their seized assets, although both agencies had similar types of properties in the same geographic areas. About 55 percent of Justice's and 60 percent of Customs' noncash seized assets were located in 10 geographic locations. An estimated $2.5 million could be saved annually in administrative costs if all seized properties were consolidated in one agency. Additional savings would result from lower vendor prices. To achieve this goal, Congress should amend the law to require both agencies to consolidate post-seizure administration of all drug and nondrug related seized properties in one agency. The Justice Department should be designated the leader in the consolidation effort, and the Marshal's Service should be designated property custodian.