The Business of Drug Law Enforcement

Not many people realize that in the USA there is money to be made by State and local drug enforcement agencies in that whenever they do a drug bust they become entitled, in law, to receive 80% of the cash or asset proceeds.

After major drug busts, particularly with marijuana, we are treated to press photos of law enforcement agents setting fire to, and destroying drugs that would be worth millions of dollars, in cash returns, if dealt with on the street.

It is not made clear in such situations that real estate, cash, arms and ammunition, vehicles and machinery in and about the drug scene are “prize” to the law enforcement agents – up to 80%.

The money goes back to State and local drug enforcement agencies, where it is used to provide infrastructure, support and covers the cost of wages – employees working doggedly, at overtime rates to bring in the culprits and the crime to justice.

Comments have been recently made that it seems that drug enforcement agencies, sometimes bide their time, allow drug dealing enterprises to flourish before finally moving in for their “cut”.

 A concerned group of pharmacists is said to have reported to police an abundance of dodgy prescriptions that were flowing out from a recently established opioid Rx “pill mill”, that they were required to fill.

 To their general dismay, nothing happened, by way of prompt enforcement, although police were said to be at all times “proceeding with their inquiries”.

It was not until some 15 months later that police went in with a warrant, and closed down the “pillmill”. By then, the directors of the “pill mill” had a considerable amount of tangible cash and assets, netted from their illicit drug transactions of 15 months – that had produced a gross revenue estimated at several million dollars.

Some might say that it was opportunistic to await windfall profits before moving in with enforcement. Others might see any hesitation in bringing a prosecution to be entirely justified, until all the i’s have been dotted, and the t’s crossed, and even then scrutinized.

 Prosecutors face an immense burden of proof against criminal perpetrators. If a prosecution fails, it costs money, and the offender is most times, completely off the hook. There is no criminal confiscation to fund further drug investigation arising from hurried and unsuccessful prosecutions.

Although it would appear to be a case of blatant conflict of interest to fund drug enforcement from drug money, that is the way that the system operates at present.

 A drug (marijuana) bust in October 2011, is said to have been the biggest in Marion County history – bringing in marijuana and cash in the sum of $4.3 million, of which the local drug enforcement agencies are to get 80%, with 20% reverting to the Federal Government.

However, it appears that long hours, much footslogging, and some incredible police work achieved the eventual outcome – is it a windfall profit, or does drug enforcement barely break even?

see article:

According to the Durango Herald, all drug bust proceeds go to aid future drug seizures, and that the process while self funding, is not inherently corrupt.

 see article: 

For a more complete resume of all that is involved in the process of criminal confiscation, and the “bounty” that appears to flow to drug enforcement agencies -

 see article: 

by JL Waddell, the Center for Problem-Orientated Policing, 2008.

It is impossible to say whether or not a less directly funded approach, perhaps with Federal incentives, and bonuses, geared towards prompt enforcement would have a positive or negative effect on the efficiency of State and local drug enforcement today.

All that can be be said with certainty is that random drug busts in the present climate of drug demand, only tend to drive up the price of the drug in the locality of the bust, perhaps driving users to seek alternatives until the drought is over.

The key to winning the war on drugs is not in harnessing the froth and the bubble of daily market supply and demand, but in quelling the upsurge in demand for addictive drugs in the first place.

 Without demand, supply eventually falters and staggers.

Immunity to drug abuse is what the community needs, the only answer to drug abuse.

 Immunity to drug abuse comes with extroverted and positive thinking, belief in self, respect for others, joy and purpose in living.

Too much pain, tension and negativity robs people of their vitality, makes them prone to drug use.

 Whether drug enforcement agencies are biding their time, hoping for windfall profit taking, from busting mature drug operations, or whether they are doing the best that they can, in a difficult situation, is really not the issue.

Everyone in the community needs to ask themselves the question : are you doing drugs right now,

and don’t you think that it’s time you got off them?

 Reducing demand is the only way to win the war against drugs.

If you want complete recovery from your drug addiction call Narconon today, and discover a drug free, comprehensive program for true addiction recovery.