Pubdate: Sun, 09 Nov 2003
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Thyrie Bland

MELTON SEEKS 50% OF BUST PROCEEDS

Cash Split Between Police Agencies, Mbn Too Small, Director Says

Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Frank Melton wants to change a 
state law meant to foster cooperation between state drug agents and local 
police.

Melton said the MBN is strapped for cash and no longer can afford to give 
up 80 percent of forfeiture proceeds from joint drug operations with local 
agencies, as state law requires.

"It's crushed us," said Melton. He plans to lobby for a 50-50 split when 
lawmakers convene in January.

Local agencies, however, say their budgets are tight, too. "We've got the 
same problems as the bureau," said Claiborne County Sheriff Frank Davis, 
former president of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association.

In fiscal 2003, the latest year for which figures are available, MBN shared 
$361,219 of forfeited drug proceeds with other agencies and kept $70,652.

State Sen. Bunky Huggins, R-Greenwood, said the chances of changing the law 
are slim if local law enforcement agencies strongly oppose the proposal.

"You get sheriffs and police departments fighting a state agency, and the 
state agency will lose every time," Huggins said.

"There may be room for compromise in there somewhere."

Ironically, MBN's cut of the drug bust proceeds was 80 percent until it 
lobbied the 2001 state Legislature to change the formula. The agency's 
previous administration hoped changing the forfeiture law would foster 
better relationships between the MBN and local law enforcement agencies. 
Outgoing Lincoln County Sheriff Lynn Boyte said it worked. The law 
"promotes teamwork" and should be left alone, he said.

He compared changing the law to "sort of like a divorce. You really can't 
make everybody happy."

Davis said he believes a 50-50 split is fair but doubts others in law 
enforcement will feel the same. "We go before the board of supervisors for 
money, and county governments are strapped for money, too," he said. 
Jefferson County Sheriff Peter Walker said he does not think there will be 
much opposition when Melton lobbies the Legislature to change the law.

Walker said he thinks agencies will support Melton because he's making sure 
the bureau works with agencies statewide and not just in certain areas of 
the state.

The forfeiture law was changed about the same time the MBN's state funding 
started to dwindle. The bureau's general fund budget went from $15.3 
million in fiscal 2000 to $9.7 million in 2004, a 37 percent decrease.

The change in the forfeiture law has "definitely impacted our ability to 
stay properly equipped and trained," MBN Deputy Director Dennis Woods said.

Melton said a recent instance also prompts him to ask lawmakers to change 
the law: Soon after agents seized $750,000 from a suspected drug dealer's 
house earlier this year, the sheriff's department that worked with MBN 
wanted to know how much money it would get, he said.

"This is before the man is indicted, tried and convicted," Melton said.

The law is "turning the fight against drugs into a money grab," he said.
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