Pubdate: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 Source: Delta Democrat Times (MS) Copyright: 2003 Delta Democrat Times Contact: http://www.ddtonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2123 Author: Amy Redwine, Delta Democrat Times MID-DELTA LAWMEN SPLIT ON SHARING SEIZURE BOUNTY When Frank Melton announced plans to ask the Mississippi Legislature to change the way proceeds are broken down from joint investigations, some Mid-Delta law enforcement officials were in favor. Others, however, don't agree with the director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Melton has said he will lobby in January for all proceeds from drug raids that involve the state agency to be split, 50-50, between the bureau and local agencies. The reason for the even split, he said, is that the MBN is strapped for cash and no longer can afford to give up 80 percent of forfeiture proceeds from joint drug operations with local agencies -- which is now state law. "It's crushed us," Melton said. But if his plan becomes law, smaller agencies are really going to be crushed, according to some Mid-Delta law enforcement officials. Greenville Police Chief Lon Pepper Jr. said he thinks the current split should be left alone. "Presently, if we initiate (the drug operation), we get 80 percent and they get 20 percent," Pepper said. "For one thing, local law enforcement has a much tighter budget than state agencies. Cases are generally generated through local law enforcement efforts to begin with." Pepper said the current system is the most conducive for local law enforcement to use. Hollandale Police Chief Robert Winn Jr. agreed. "I think they should let it stay the way it is. The towns in which they come in to do drug bust are the towns that are having the most problems," Winn said. He said the proceeds that are accumulated in joint busts need to be put back into the drug fund to help enforce anti-drug activity after the state agency leaves. "We are working on little to no budget as far as drug wise. The budget is already tight," Winn said. Other Mid-Delta lawmen are in favor of the change. Washington County Sheriff Victor said an even split is just fine with him. "I think if Frank Melton needs the money, he ought to have it, especially if it is on a joint effort," he said. "Without him and his department, we would not have it in the first place." Cleveland Police Chief Drew Warren said he, too, is OK with the proposed 50-50 split. "I don't have any problems. The state should have resources for criminal investigators," Warren said. He said local municipalities usually do not have the resources for criminal investigators. However, the state should have access to any necessary tools for its investigations. Warren said it is a better way for state agencies to finance equipment. "It takes a lot of sophisticated equipment to assist investigators in certain surveillance and documentation," he said. Sunflower County Sheriff Ned Holder also favors sharing equally. "I think they deserve more than an 80 to 20 split," he said. "I think they should be able to get 50 percent." Holder said he still feels that way even though it would take proceeds from his department. Leland Police Chief Eddie Johnson also said he does not have a problem with sharing the wealth. "We are getting something out of it, as long as we are working together, we are working together for the same common cause," Johnson said. "They deserve something out it." In fiscal year 2003, the MBN shared $361,219 of forfeited drug proceeds with other agencies and kept $70,652. The bureau's general fund budget went from $15.3 million in fiscal 2000 to $9.7 million in 2004, a 37 percent decrease. Melton said a recent incident is what sparked his concern. He said a sheriff's department wanted to know how much money it would get out of $750,000 that was confiscated from a suspected drug dealer. Melton said questions about the money began before the man was indicted, tried and convicted. The current law is turning the fight against drugs into a "money grab," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake