U.S. Marshals Service for Students
Asset Forfeiture
Under court order, U.S. Marshals seize (take over)
and manage (care for) property (belongings) and take custody (hold) of
cash and property seized by other federal agencies such as:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
- Internal Revenue Services (IRS) involving
money-laundering
Cases from the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) may
involve money-laundering. This means using confusing tricks to hide
where money came from and where it is going. Money-laundering is usually
connected to illegal acts such as drugs or terrorism.
While in Marshals Service custody, all property must
be well managed so it does not lose its value. That means the Service
arranges for the continued operation of the business enterprises until
the court authorizes to sell or otherwise dispose of the property. The
following are some examples of property the Marshals Service manages:
- Vehicles-cars, boats and planes
- Real Property-houses, ranches, operating
businesses, apartment complexes
- Cash
- Jewelry/Art
- Other
The goals of
the Asset Forfeiture Program are to enforce the law, encourage federal,
state and local law enforcement to work together and use the forfeited
(to give up) assets (property) to improve law enforcement ability to
continue to solve crimes. This program is a useful tool in helping law
enforcement reduce access of illegal drugs because it uses the forfeited
property and money of drug dealers to bring other criminals to justice.
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