Better Care and Disposal of Seized Cars, Boats, and Planes Should Save Money and Benefit Law Enforcement

摘要

The Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, and Drug Enforcement Administration seize cars, boats, and planes used to transport illegal aliens, narcotics, and various other forms of contraband. These seized conveyances often devalue rapidly after seizure, primarily because of the lengthy forfeiture process and inadequate storage, maintenance, and protection. When the forfeited conveyances are acquired for use by law enforcement agencies, the conveyances often have high startup and continual repair costs. Also, a lack of storage space has caused the Immigration and Naturalization Service to periodically stop seizure operations. GAO recommends that the Congress enact legislation to --expedite the forfeiture process, --create an improved funding mechanism for preservation costs and for the acquisition of needed conveyances, and --gain more oversight over the use by Federal agencies of forfeited conveyances.