Money, property worth $646,000 went to agencies in first half of year

Illegal drug-related property and money valued at almost $646,000 was seized by Mendocino County law authorities in the first six months of the year.

It was more than three times the amount seized in the same time period last year, according to District Attorney David Eyster.

The jump in asset forfeitures is an indicator that drug money and drugs continue to flow in and through Mendocino County, one of the state's largest marijuana producing counties.

The year's take is expected to be well over $1 million. In 2010, $1.5 million was seized, down from $2.5 million in 2009, according to the District Attorney's website. By comparison, Sonoma County seized about $778,000 in 2009, according to state Department of Justice figures.

Mendocino County long has had one of the highest seizure rates in the state, a product largely of its marijuana production.

The state gets 24 percent of the assets while the rest is distributed to local law enforcement and groups.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is expected to receive about $225,000 of the money seized so far this year.

The money usually is spent on equipment and one-time costs but in recent years has helped pay for overtime costs in the Sheriff's Office.

The drug money also supports community-based programs, including the Mendocino County Youth Project and an alliance of local volunteers working to clean up marijuana growing operations uncovered on public lands, Eyster said.

Eyster, whose office oversees the statewide asset forfeiture program locally, said it is an effective law enforcement tool.

"We like being able to hit the crooks and profiteers where it hurts," he said.

But the program has its critics. They say it allows suspects' assets to be seized before their cases go to court. If the charges are dropped or cleared, the former defendants often must file a civil case to have their property returned.

Some defense attorneys and anti-forfeiture groups consider the practice a violation of civil rights and are seeking reform of the law.

Ukiah Defense attorney Bob Boyd said he's concerned primarily because police should be focusing on keeping the community safe.

"It shouldn't be revenue generating," he said. "It seems inappropriate for police officials to be lining the public coffers."

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com.