Pubdate: Wed, 06 Apr 2005 Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU) Copyright: 2005 Pacific Daily News Contact: http://www.guampdn.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.guampdn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122 Author: Katie Worth Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) MONEY FROM CONFISCATED ASSETS TO BENEFIT POLICE It all started with a Guam police officer patching shreds of evidence together in the investigation of a low-to mid-level drug dealer. But the drug dealer led police to his supplier, and within a few weeks, the case turned into a full-scale investigation of an international drug-dealing scheme. Since then, nearly 10 drug dealers are behind bars and about $1 million in assets -- from Rolex watches to real estate -- have been confiscated. Best of all, said Jeff Silk, the resident agent in charge of Guam's Drug Enforcement Administration office, the bust appears to have made a dent in the drug supplies on island. "Shortly after this case was locked up, the price of ice (on Guam) almost doubled for a period of time," Silk said. Plus, the money garnered from the sale of the confiscated assets are going to go back into law enforcement. Yesterday, the U.S. Attorney's office presented the Guam Police Department with what will hopefully be the first in a series of checks of money brought in when the criminals' assets were confiscated. Total of $103K The money -- a total of $103,845.42 -- will go toward things like training expenses and new equipment, said police Chief Frank Ishizaki. The U.S. Attorney's office also may be dispersing money from the confiscation of the assets to Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency and the Guam National Guard, said U.S. Attorney Leonardo M. Rapadas. The money is being dispersed through the Department of Justice Forfeiture Program, which is intended to deprive criminals of the profits of their illegal activities. Silk said most of the illegal drugs on Guam arrive from Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and other Asian capitals, and to a lesser extent from the U.S. mainland and Mexico. Gov. Felix Camacho praised the program at the check-dispersing ceremony yesterday. "These (drug traffickers) are getting rich off the lives of our people," he said. - ---