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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 25, 2007 Since You Asked: Drug arrest seizures Since I have recently moved to your area, I don't know what happens when monies and/or vehicles are seized during drug busts. Since the county is hurting so for money, is it possible that it would be able to keep all these thousands of dollars in cash we read about with almost every arrest? What about selling the guns, ammo, etc. that also are taken? Couldn't these funds be used by the county for additional support for the sheriff's department? Or does the state take all of it, and if so, what fund does it go into? -- Jennine S., Medford Money seized in drug arrests goes to local and state agencies, but the money isn't enough to alleviate a budget crisis, officials said. The Jackson County Narcotics Enforcement Team (JACNET) typically planned on seizures totalling between $20,000 and $30,000 when forfeitures were much more common, said Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston. Law changes within the past decade significantly reduced the number of drug-related forfeitures, leading the state to adopt a criminal proceeding that requires conviction of a drug crime. Previously police could seize property without securing a conviction. "It's to try to impose another sanction on people who engage in criminal activity," Huddleston said, adding that forfeitures were never intended as a means of funding law enforcement. Advertisement Police also can't count on a specific number of forfeitures in any given year, making reliance on them unrealistic. "It's a really cyclic source of revenue," Huddleston said. When forfeitures do materialize, 40 percent of the proceeds go to law enforcement, typically the agency that handled the case. Forty percent is used for local drug treatment programs. A meth lab cleanup fund takes 7 percent, and an "asset forfeiture oversight committee" gets 3 percent. The state gains 10 percent for its general fund. Selling guns used in crimes has been against Medford Police Department policy for at least a decade and is a declining trend in policing, said Medford Police Chief Randy Schoen. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help