Property Management Function, Evidence, Recovered Property

Handling Confiscated Currency

I. PROCEDURES

The following procedures have been implemented for the deposit of confiscated funds by personnel of the FEB:

  1. FEB personnel will complete all necessary forms to document confiscation of currency from defendants to include a property held form and a receipt for confiscated currency.
  2. During normal business hours, FEB personnel may deliver a receipt for confiscated currency and the confiscated currency to the designated administrator.
  3. When it is not practical to make a delivery, or in cases where the confiscation is made outside of normal business hours, the confiscated currency shall be deposited into one of the FEB drop safes located in Annapolis or Jessup (Motor Fuel Testing Lab).
  4. Confiscated currency shall be counted, and placed into an envelope, which is to be sealed. A completed receipt for confiscated currency must accompany the deposit of confiscated money.

II. DEPOSITING INTO A DROP SAFE

FEB personnel making the deposit into a drop safe must:

  1. Complete the drop safe log (located above each drop safe), which includes the date and time of drop and name of personnel making the drop.
  2. Notify the supervisor on duty and the designated administrator of a deposit into one of the drop safes. Notifications to supervisors and the administrator can be made via voice mail outside of normal business hours, with a follow-up call on the first business day after the seizure.
  3. The designated administrator is responsible for retrieval of the drop and will indicate pickup date and time on the drop safe log. The retrieval of the confiscated currency is to be made as soon as possible by the administrator after notification is made by the agent making the drop.
  4. The designated administrator will inspect the interior of both drop safes on a bi-monthly basis. The inspections will be noted on the drop safe log at each FEB drop safe location.
  5. The administrator will recount the currency for accuracy and address a “Memorandum of Deposit” to the accounting manager (bank depositing authority) for the bureau. This memorandum will include the date of confiscation, defendant’s name, case number, and amount of currency confiscated. A cash receipt will be given to the administrator by the accounting manager. The administrator will have the accounting manager sign the property held form acknowledging release of the currency. The administrator will immediately investigate and rectify any discrepancies in the count and will notify the affected agent’s supervisor of any unresolved differences. The appropriate agent supervisor will be notified by the administrator of any discrepancies in the amount of the deposit.
  6. The administrator will forward a copy of the memorandum of deposit and cash receipt from the accounting manager to the arresting agent for inclusion in the case report and to the division’s auditor.
  7. The accounting manager (or designee) will follow the timeframe for deposits outlined in the Comptroller’s Accounting Procedures Manual. Any exception to this procedure will be fully documented.
  8. A copy of the accounting manager’s cash receipt, the certificate of deposit report and the validated bank deposit slip will be forwarded by the accounting manager to the designated executive associate for verification and retention. The executive associate will initial the certificate of deposit report and the bank deposit slip to verify the amount of the deposit is accurate.

III. CANCELLATION

None.