WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier on Wednesday, Sessions announced new guidance for the federal government’s handling of money and property seized by local and state police in criminal cases.
"Next to putting cartel leaders in the penitentiary, asset forfeiture is the strongest tool law enforcement has to hurt the drug cartels and assist law enforcement in the fight against illegal drugs," Eavenson stated in the release regarding Sessions’ order. "Minimizing the ability to utilize this tool properly will only make the fight against the cartels more difficult for law enforcement and prosecutors."
Sessions' directives roll back some of the reforms enacted by former Attorney General Eric Holder, who limited federal adoption to property that directly related to public safety concerns, such as weapons, ammunition or explosives.
Sessions noted that seizing criminals’ assets helps to pay for police department equipment and training and return property to crime victims.
