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For Immediate Release |
Contact: |
| October 15, 2010 |
DUSM James Badway, District of New Mexico (505) 462-2344 |
| National Geographic Films U.S. Marshals Service Automobile Auction |
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Albuquerque, NM – The United States
Marshals Service, District of New Mexico raised over $118,000 in Friday
morning’s asset forfeiture auto auction. The event took place at Dugger’s
Services and was conducted by Apple Towing. All 21 of the vehicles auctioned
were seized because they once belonged to individuals and companies found
guilty of crimes and ordered by a court of law to forfeit ill-gotten gains
from their criminal activities. Among the vehicles that went up for auction were a 1994 Caterpillar Tractor that sold for $13,500, and a 2001 Ford Mustang Cobra that sold for $4,700. The feature highlight of the auction, a 1967 Ford Shelby GT500E was on display, but did not make it into this auction and will be included in a future auction or live web auction. On hand at the auction was a film crew from National Geographic. The National Geographic film crew is traveling around the nation filming a “pilot” showcasing the United States Marshals Service Asset Forfeiture Program. “The Asset Forfeiture Program is a law enforcement success story, and the U.S. Marshals play a vital role” said United States Marshal Conrad Candelaria. Marshal Candelaria also said “the program has become a key part of the federal government’s efforts to combat major criminal activities.” The Department of Justice authorizes the U.S. Marshals Service to manage and disposes of assets derived from criminal activities for the Department of Justice’s Asset Forfeiture Program. The current inventory of assets being managed by the Marshals is worth more than $2 billion. Funding generated from auctions is returned to the community to compensate victims, supplement funding for law enforcement initiatives, and supplements community programs. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov. |