MID-DELTA LAWMEN SPLIT ON SHARING SEIZURE BOUNTY

When Frank Melton announced plans to ask the Mississippi Legislature to
change the way proceeds are broken down from joint investigations, some
Mid-Delta law enforcement officials were in favor.

Others, however, don't agree with the director of the Mississippi Bureau of
Narcotics.

Melton has said he will lobby in January for all proceeds from drug raids
that involve the state agency to be split, 50-50, between the bureau and
local agencies.

The reason for the even split, he said, is that the MBN is strapped for
cash and no longer can afford to give up 80 percent of forfeiture proceeds
from joint drug operations with local agencies -- which is now state law.

"It's crushed us," Melton said.

But if his plan becomes law, smaller agencies are really going to be
crushed, according to some Mid-Delta law enforcement officials.

Greenville Police Chief Lon Pepper Jr. said he thinks the current split
should be left alone.

"Presently, if we initiate (the drug operation), we get 80 percent and they
get 20 percent," Pepper said. "For one thing, local law enforcement has a
much tighter budget than state agencies. Cases are generally generated
through local law enforcement efforts to begin with."

Pepper said the current system is the most conducive for local law
enforcement to use.

Hollandale Police Chief Robert Winn Jr. agreed.

"I think they should let it stay the way it is. The towns in which they
come in to do drug bust are the towns that are having the most problems,"
Winn said.

He said the proceeds that are accumulated in joint busts need to be put
back into the drug fund to help enforce anti-drug activity after the state
agency leaves.

"We are working on little to no budget as far as drug wise. The budget is
already tight," Winn said.

Other Mid-Delta lawmen are in favor of the change.

Washington County Sheriff Victor said an even split is just fine with him.

"I think if Frank Melton needs the money, he ought to have it, especially
if it is on a joint effort," he said. "Without him and his department, we
would not have it in the first place."

Cleveland Police Chief Drew Warren said he, too, is OK with the proposed
50-50 split.

"I don't have any problems. The state should have resources for criminal
investigators," Warren said.

He said local municipalities usually do not have the resources for criminal
investigators. However, the state should have access to any necessary tools
for its investigations. Warren said it is a better way for state agencies
to finance equipment.

"It takes a lot of sophisticated equipment to assist investigators in
certain surveillance and documentation," he said.

Sunflower County Sheriff Ned Holder also favors sharing equally.

"I think they deserve more than an 80 to 20 split," he said. "I think they
should be able to get 50 percent."

Holder said he still feels that way even though it would take proceeds from
his department.

Leland Police Chief Eddie Johnson also said he does not have a problem with
sharing the wealth.

"We are getting something out of it, as long as we are working together, we
are working together for the same common cause," Johnson said. "They
deserve something out it."

In fiscal year 2003, the MBN shared $361,219 of forfeited drug proceeds
with other agencies and kept $70,652. The bureau's general fund budget went
from $15.3 million in fiscal 2000 to $9.7 million in 2004, a 37 percent
decrease.

Melton said a recent incident is what sparked his concern. He said a
sheriff's department wanted to know how much money it would get out of
$750,000 that was confiscated from a suspected drug dealer. Melton said
questions about the money began before the man was indicted, tried and
convicted.

The current law is turning the fight against drugs into a "money grab," he
said.