Students, Asset Forfeiture


	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.