Pubdate: Wed, 15 Mar 2006
Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU)
Copyright: 2006 Pacific Daily News
Contact: http://www.guampdn.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.guampdn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122
Author: Tammy Anderson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

POLICE, CUSTOMS PROFIT FROM SEIZED DRUG ASSETS

Crime doesn't pay -- unless you are the Guam Police Department or Guam
Customs and Quarantine Agency.

Yesterday, federal officials gave the police department $122,721.27
and Guam Customs $55,822.37 -- money that came from the sale of assets
seized in drug-related cases. Officials from both local agencies said
the money will be used for crime-fighting equipment and training for
their personnel.

The money came from selling the watches, cars and homes that belonged
to defendants who manufactured drugs on Guam or imported them here,
said U.S. Attorney for Guam Leonard Rapadas.

The money helps public safety agencies that are feeling the financial
strains of limited budgets. Rapadas said the money seized from
criminals helps law enforcement agencies continue to fight
drug-related crimes. Rapadas said he expects more money from
additional forfeiture sales to be given to the Customs agency in the
near future. The amount given to the departments yesterday was a
percentage of money from selling defendant's assets throughout the
year.

The Asset Forfeiture Program is nationwide and takes proceeds from
drug traffickers, racketeers and other criminals and uses the
resources to fund agencies that work to stop crimes, according to the
Department of Justice.

Every year, the Department of Justice must submit reports to Congress
about the money and assets being processed through the program.

Last year, a check for $103,845.42 was given to the police department
and used to put in an electronic records management system. Not all of
that money has been spent, police Chief Frank Ishizaki said, but there
is no time limit to use the funds.

The checks received last year and yesterday will put the final touches
on the automated records system. Ishizaki said he hopes to have all
law enforcement agencies and criminal justice players rely on the
system in the near future.

Guam Customs Chief Ralph Sgambelluri thanked Rapadas for the check. He
added that residents need to get involved in the crime prevention
process and should report any illegal activity in their communities in
order for agencies to continue to fight drug-related crimes.
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