CONNECTICUT TARGETING DRUG DEALERS' ASSETS

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Federal prosecutors are stepping up their efforts to
seize the assets of drug dealers by hiring an investigator whose sole task
will be to identify ill-gotten gains that can be seized.

The move is expected to lead to more forfeiture money being turned over to
police around the state.

Connecticut U.S. Attorney Kevin J. O'Connor announced the new position
Wednesday while turning over $323,000 to Stamford police in one of
the largest forfeitures in recent years.

"We're going after the money," O'Connor said. "At the end of the day
we have to hurt these people where it hurts most. They're obviously
motivated by profit and greed."

Until now, the task of identifying assets fell to local and federal
investigators busy prosecuting the drug cases.

In addition to finding the assets, authorities must prove the
proceeds are linked to drug dealing. "Following the money is a
tedious, time-consuming task," O'Connor said. "To have the luxury of
having someone whose sole responsibility is to follow the money I
think is a great thing."

The financial investigator will focus on major drug cases, locating
assets such as cars, boats, cash, jewelry and property obtained with
drug proceeds. O'Connor, who hopes to fill the position by the end of
the year, said stepped up efforts to seize assets also could serve as
a deterrent to drug dealing and helps municipalities hurt by the crime.

"We're going to go after it and when we get it we're going to return
it to the communities that were impacted by the underlying crimes,"
O'Connor said. "This resource will allow us to increase what I think
has already been a successful program."

The U.S. Attorney's office turned over Stamford's share of proceeds
from a $400,000 settlement of a drug case in involving a large
marijuana growing operation in 1999. In addition to criminal
prosecutions, authorities initiated civil forfeiture proceedings
against two properties used to carry out the drug operation. "Everyone
should know that when you commit a crime, you not only risk losing
your freedom, you risk losing your property as well," O'Connor said.
Stamford police plan to use the money to bolster drug investigations
and buy new equipment.

The extra funding comes after the city lost a large drug interdiction
grant due to budget cuts, said Police Chief Louis DeCarlo. "We've been
limping since then," DeCarlo said. "This is a monumental day for us."