LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CASHES IN ON FORFEITURES

ST. LUCIE COUNTY -- Local law enforcement agencies have been cashing
in on crime more than ever lately, using forfeitures to line their
budget coffers.

When law enforcement agencies break up a drug deal, burglary ring or
other criminal operation, they often come across cars and cash used by
the criminals involved. The law enforcement agency involved has the
right to try and claim the money or other items seized.

In 2002, by mid-September, local law enforcement agencies had filed 26
forfeiture requests. By the same time this year, the number of
forfeiture requests had jumped to 33.

The cash awarded to local agencies has also jumped during the same
period. According to court records, by September 2002, law enforcement
agencies had been awarded $37,942 in cash. That total increased to
$46,071 by September 2003.

The register rang to the tune of $109,814 for all of 2002. A large
drug bust this year is likely to send the year-end total through the
roof. Assistant State Attorney Lev Evans, who handles the legal work
for local forfeitures, said he is about to file forms to recoup
$242,000 from a recent drug bust.

"Every now and then we get some huge ones," Evans said. "In this case
the deputies found a few pounds of marijuana and several cabinets full
of cash."

Evans has to file a request with the court for the money. The actual
owner of the money can come forward and try to claim it at a hearing.
In most cases the owners don't come forward because they have to sign
statements about what the cash or items were being used for.

"We put them in between a rock and a hard place," Evans said. "If they
file something that's not true, they can be in a lot more trouble."

The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office has been the benefactor of the
vast majority of local forfeitures. Along the with the expected
$242,000 in cash, this year's haul has already included a 1997 Camaro
and a 2002 Lexus GS.

"It's a little unusual to see cars like the Lexus be seized," said
Chief Deputy Garry Wilson.

Wilson said seized cars are often turned around and used for
undercover drug stings. The Sheriff's Office will use them, then trade
them in for other cars that are used for undercover operations. Wilson
said others are sold at auctions.

Cash seized is deposited in the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. The money
is commonly used to conduct drug operations, or provide crime
prevention. Wilson said he thinks the increase in forfeitures
parallels an increase in local drug use.

"I think the rise in forfeitures is caused by a combination of our
growing community and the sheriff's office's very aggressive approach
to drug enforcement," Wilson said. "I think an increase in arrests has
gone along with it."