Evergreen Reporter

San Juan, Puerto Rico - United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, alongside Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón and Puerto Rico Police Bureau Commissioner Joseph González, shared updates concerning the United States Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Funds for Puerto Rican agencies.

Asset forfeiture refers to the government's ability to seize property connected to criminal activities without compensation. It allows the federal government to retrieve assets that can potentially compensate crime victims or serve other law enforcement goals.

The DOJ oversees the Asset Forfeiture Program, while the Department of the Treasury manages its Treasury Asset Forfeiture Program. Both programs aim to punish and deter criminal activity, promote cooperation across various enforcement levels, recover assets for compensating victims, and ensure professional legal administration.

Different agencies, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, are part of the Asset Forfeiture Program.

Through equitable sharing, agencies participating in federal forfeiture efforts can request a portion of the proceeds. Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury are permitted, but not required, to distribute seized assets. The exercise of this authority is discretionary and subject to legal limits.

In Puerto Rico, the Equitable Sharing Program supports several agencies, including the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the San Juan Police Department. They have received and are pending Equitable Sharing Funds amounting to millions of dollars.

United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow stated, “Forfeiting the proceeds and instrumentalities of crime puts the money to work for good – helping the victims of crime, funding community programs and providing resources to be used to promote public safety.” Muldrow emphasized that equitable sharing boosts local law enforcement collaboration, allowing them to tackle large-scale criminal enterprises.

Agencies interested in participating in the Equitable Sharing Program must submit an Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification. They are required to comply with federal management standards, including auditing and reporting requirements.