DRUG MONEY GIVEN TO ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE

LAFAYETTE - U.S. Attorney Donald W. Washington on Thursday gave a $15,790
check to the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office for its participation in a
narcotics investigation.

The money was seized from alleged drug dealers and was given to the
sheriff's office as part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Asset
Forfeiture Equitable Sharing Program.

In March 2001, a sheriff's deputy stopped a car operated by Jeffery Walker
and Shon Hamilton for a traffic violation. After the traffic stop, the
deputy conducted a consensual search of the car. During the search, the
deputy found several plastic bags containing $20,000 in cash hidden in
various places in the car.

A drug dog later alerted on the money, indicating the cash had been
involved in an illegal drug transaction. Walker and Hamilton were arrested
for illegal use of U.S. currency. The Sheriff's Office subsequently
contacted the federal Drug Enforcement Administration for assistance.

The U.S. Attorney's Office filed a claim in court seeking the forfeiture of
the money on the grounds that the cash was intended to be used to buy
illegal drugs, or represented the proceeds of past drug sales.

On March 4, U.S. District Judge Rebecca F. Doherty ruled that the money had
to be forfeited.

The Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture Equitable Sharing Program
enables state and local law enforcement agencies to receive a share of
federally forfeited assets that are proportional to an agency's
investigative contribution.

The program has two goals, Washington said. First, the program seeks to
punish and deter criminal activity by depriving criminals of property used
or acquired in an illegal manner.

The second goal is to enhance cooperation among federal, state and local
enforcement agencies.

"Like Robin Hood, we will punish and deter criminals by taking their money
and property," Washington said. "The forfeited money and property will be
used to provide additional training and equipment to law enforcement's
operations to further detect and dismantle criminal organizations."