2018
Asset Forfeiture Report
(Covers Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2017)

Grants and Community Services Division
Byrne JAG Section

MICHIGAN STATE POLICE HEADQUARTERS ● 7150 HARRIS DRIVE ● DIMONDALE, MICHIGAN 48821
MAILING ADDRESS ● P.O. BOX 30634 ● LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909
www.michigan.gov/msp ● 517-332-2521

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD .................................................................................................................2
SCOPE OF THE REPORT............................................................................................3
REPORTING AGENCIES .............................................................................................3
NUMBER OF PROCEEDINGS .....................................................................................4
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY RECEIVED ...................................................................4
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY FORFEITED ..............................................................5
EXPENDITURES OF ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDS.................................................12
DISTRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS ..................................................................................13
NUISANCE AND OMNIBUS DISTRIBUTIONS ...........................................................14

 STATE OF MICHIGAN

RICK SNYDER

COL. KRISTE KIBBEY ETUE

DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE

GOVERNOR

DIRECTOR

LANSING

June 30, 2018

Mr. Jeff Cobb

Mr. Gary Randall

Secretary of the Senate

Clerk of the House

Michigan Senate

Michigan House of Representatives

P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, Michigan 48909

P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, Michigan 48909

Dear Mr. Cobb and Mr. Randall:
I am pleased to present to the Michigan Legislature the 25th annual Asset Forfeiture Report. Michigan's
asset forfeiture laws provide for the seizure of cash and property assets of drug traffickers and other criminal
organizations when that property is obtained through illegal activity. The report this year is the second to b e
submitted as required b y The Uniform Forfeiture Reporting Act, 2015 P A 148, which became effective
February 1, 2016.
The act repealed the prior asset forfeiture reporting requirements and requires submission of a summary to
the Michigan Department of State Police of the reporting agency's activities regarding forfeiture of property
under the following sections of law: Public Health Code, MCL 333.7521-333.7533 (Controlled Substances);
the Identity Theft Protection Act, MCL 445.79d; Revised Judicature Act of 1961; MCL 600.4701-600.4709
(Omnibus); and Revised Judicature Act of 1961, MCL 600.3801-600.3840 (Public Nuisance). Additionally,
the type of information to be reported for each seizure and forfeiture of property was expanded to provide for
greater transparency regarding the government seizure of private property.
This report covers the period of January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017. This i s the first report in
which all reporting agencies submitted forfeiture data based upon the calendar year. Over $13 million in cash
and assets amassed by drug traffickers was forfeited.

Extensive multi-agency coordination is evident in this

report and, as a result, considerable assets were obtained through the joint enforcement efforts of agencies
at the federal, state, and local levels.
Asset forfeiture funds were used to enhance law enforcement by providing resources for equipment,
personnel, vehicles, training, and supplies. Assets seized pursuant to this program also allowed some
agencies to contribute monies to non-profit organizations that assist in obtaining information from citizens for
solving crimes.
I commend our law enforcement community for the tremendous job they have done and submit this report for
your information and review.

MICHIGAN STATE POLICE HEADQUARTERS • 7150 HARRIS DRIVE • DIMONDALE, MICHIGAN 48821
MAILING ADDRESS • P.O. BOX 30634 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909
www.michigan.gov/msp • 517-332-2521

 FOREWORD
This is the 25th annual Asset Forfeiture Report; however, it is the second of its kind under the
Uniform Forfeiture Reporting Act. Effective February 1, 2016, Public Act 148 of 2015 created the
Uniform Forfeiture Reporting Act that repealed prior forfeiture reporting requirements under the
Public Health Code, and mandated forfeiture reporting requirements under four sections of law:
Public Health Code, MCL 333.7521-333.7533 (Controlled Substances); the Identity Theft
Protection Act, MCL 445.79d; Revised Judicature Act of 1961; MCL 600.4701-600.4709
(Omnibus); and Revised Judicature Act of 1961, MCL 600.3801-00.3840 (Public Nuisance).
This report is a compilation of Reporting Agencies’ Government Asset Forfeiture Report online
submissions by Michigan law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, counties, townships, cities, and
villages to the Michigan State Police (MSP), Grants and Community Services Division (GCSD),
Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Section. As a result of the expanded inventory
requirements under the act, 6,667 forfeited property records were submitted to the MSP. The
content of the records submitted is summarized for brevity in this report.
Of the 1,820 Reporting Agencies’ Government Asset Forfeiture Reports submitted to the MSP, 278
law enforcement agencies reported receiving funds from asset forfeiture during this reporting period.
More than $11.8 million in cash was seized, and over $13.1 million in cash and property was awarded
to law enforcement during this reporting period.
Collaboration and coordination are hallmarks of Michigan’s effort to overcome drug trafficking and
other criminal activity in our communities. A significant portion of assets seized was obtained as a
result of local, state, and federal agencies working together. Michigan’s multijurisdictional task forces
are a good example of coordinated regional law enforcement aimed at dangerous criminals.

2

 SCOPE OF THE REPORT
The Uniform Forfeiture Reporting Act defines “reporting agency” to mean one of the following: (i) If
property is seized by or forfeited to a local unit of government, that local unit of government means a
village, city, township, or county. (ii) If property is seized by or forfeited to the State of Michigan, the
state department or agency effectuating the seizure or forfeiture is the reporting agency. “Local unit of
government” means a village, city, township, or county. Asset forfeiture reporting submissions were
solicited from every unit of government in the state of Michigan.
Section I: Identification
The following tables provide information regarding the types of agencies that were requested to submit
an asset forfeiture report and the responses received from that request:
Agencies
Submitting a
Report Including
Asset Forfeitures

Agencies
Submitting a Report
With NO Asset
Forfeitures

Agencies that
DID NOT
Submit a Report

Local Police Agencies (480)

190

290

0

Multijurisdictional Task Forces (26)

25

1

0

MSP (1)

1

0

0

Sheriff’s Offices (83)

44

39

0

Prosecuting Attorneys (83)

5

78

0

265

408

0

Agencies

Total

Agencies
Submitting a
Report

Agencies Submitting a
Report With NO Asset
Forfeitures

4

4

Townships

803

801

Cities

30

30

113

113

4

4

954

952

Added Reporting Agencies
Counties

Villages
Departments of State Government
Total

Note: Many local units of government maintain their own police agency or contract for police services.
Therefore, the police agency executes and reports asset forfeitures on behalf of the unit of government.

3

 Section A: Number of Forfeiture and Public Nuisance Proceedings
MCL 28.112(1)(a) – (f)
Proceedings

Forfeiture and Public Nuisance Proceedings

1,782

A1. Forfeiture Proceedings Instituted in Circuit Court

1,387

A2. Forfeiture Proceedings Concluded in Circuit Court

455

A3. Forfeiture Proceedings Pending in Circuit Court

4,979

A4. Forfeitures Effectuated Without a Forfeiture Proceeding in Circuit Court

2,258

A5. Forfeiture Proceedings Concluded by Agreement

63

A6. Public Nuisance Proceedings

Section B: Inventory of Property Received by the Reporting Agency
MCL 28.112(1)(g)
This table includes all items seized, or seized and forfeited, during the reporting period.
Units

Inventory of Property Received

8

B1. Residential Real Property: Number of residential real property units received

2

B2. Industrial or Commercial Real Property: Number of units received

0

B3. Agricultural Real Property: Number of units received

11,843,061

B4. Money: Dollar amount of all money received

131

B5. Negotiable Instruments and Securities: number of units seized

711

B6. Weapons: Number of weapons received

7,999

B7. Motor Vehicles and Other Conveyances: Number of units received

16,827

B8. Other Personal Property of Value: Number of other items of value seized

4

 Section C: Description of Property
MCL 28.112(1)(h)
Each property inventoried in Section B that has been finalized for purposes of appeal is further described
in the tables that follow. Requirements C1-C4 are on file; however, they represent over 6,600 unique
entries which are not conducive to summarization.
C1. Case number or other number assigned by the reporting agency that identifies the forfeiture.
C2. Description of the property (e.g., residential real property address; legal description of agricultural
property; vehicle identification number; make, model, and serial number of a firearm).
C3. Date the property was seized.
C4. Date the property was ordered forfeited or disposed of.
C5. Final disposition of property.
C6. Estimated value of the property.
Items
171
7
3,064
438
2,917
65

Disposition of Property Received

Value of Property Received

Destroyed

$12,081

Donated

$2,565

Retained by agency
Sale pending

$4,695,580
$802,213

Sold

$2,662,785

Dispositions not answered

$418,684

Note: Some reporting agencies’ inventory reports were incomplete and were returned to those reporting agencies
for correction. Corrected inventory reports have not been returned and are, therefore, not included in the table
above. Net proceeds of those agencies are, however, included in Section D (page 11).

C7. The violation or nuisance alleged to have been committed for which forfeiture is authorized.
Asset Forfeitures by Section of Law
Section of Law
Public Health Code, MCL 333.7521-333.7533 (Controlled Substances)

Number of Forfeitures
5,558

Identity Theft Protection Act, MCL 445.79d (Identity Theft)

55

Revised Judicature Act of 1961, MCL 600.3801-600.38340 (Public Nuisance)

946

Revised Judicature Act of 1961, MCL 600.4701-600.4709 (Omnibus)

67

No Answer/Not Identified

36

5

 Asset Forfeitures by Specific Violations
Instances

Specific Violation of Public Health Code

18

333.74012A1, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture - Narcotic or cocaine 1000 or more grams

25

333.74012A2, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture - Narcotic or cocaine 450 to 999 grams

96

333.74012A3, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture - Narcotic or cocaine 50 to 449 grams

1,054

333.74012A4, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture - Narcotic or cocaine less than 50 grams

178

333.74012B1, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture - Methamphetamine/ecstasy

120

333.74012B-A, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture - Schedules 1, 2, and 3 except marihuana and
cocaine

6

333.74012B-B, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture - Substance added to Schedules 1, 2, and 3 by
Board of Pharmacy rule

21

333.74012C-A, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture - Schedule 4

4

333.74012D, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture - Schedule 5

22

333.74012D1, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture 45 kilograms of marihuana or 200 or more plants

151

333.74012D11, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture 5 to 45 kilograms of marihuana or 20 to 200 plants

845

333.74012D3, Controlled substance - Delivery/manufacture marihuana

7

333.74012F, Prescription forms - Manufacture/deliver

76

333.7401A, Controlled substance - Delivery to commit criminal sexual conduct

9

333.7401C2A, Controlled substance - Operating/maintaining a laboratory

13

333.7401C2F, Controlled substance - Operating/maintaining a laboratory involving methamphetamine

5

333.74022A, Controlled substance - Creation/delivery counterfeit substance narcotic/methamphetamine/ecstasy

7

333.74022B, Controlled substance - Creation/delivery of counterfeit substance - Schedules 1, 2, or 3

17

333.74022E, Controlled substance - Creation/delivery of an analogue

2

333.74032A1, Controlled substance - Possession of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic - 1000 or more grams

12

333.74032A2, Controlled substance - Possession of cocaine, heroin, or another narcotic - 450 to 999 grams

85

333.74032A3, Controlled substance - Possession of cocaine, heroin, or another narcotic - 50 to 449 grams

118

333.74032A4, Controlled substance - Possession of cocaine, heroin, or another narcotic - 25 to 49 grams

6

 Instances
1,306

Specific Violation of Public Health Code (Cont’d.)
333.74032A5, Controlled substance - Possession of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic - Less than 25 grams

100

333.74032B1, Controlled substance - Possession of methamphetamine/ecstasy

288

333.74032B-A, Controlled substance - Possession of analogues

11

333.74032B-B, Controlled substance - Possession of substance added to Schedules 1, 2, 3, or 4 by Board of
Pharmacy rule

11

333.74032C-A, Controlled substance - Possession of Schedule 5 or LSD, peyote, mescaline, psilocybin, etc.

6

333.74032C-B, Controlled substance - Possession substance added to Schedule 5 by Board of Pharmacy Rule

519

333.74032D, Controlled substance - Possession of marihuana

2

333.74032F, Prescription forms - Possession

5

333.74042A, Controlled substance - Use of narcotic/cocaine/methamphetamine/ecstasy

16

333.74042B, Controlled substance - Use

2

333.74042C, Controlled substance - Use of Schedule 5 or LSD, peyote, mescaline, psilocybin, etc.

5

333.74042D, Controlled substance - Use of marihuana

4

333.7405B, Controlled substance - Manufacture/distribute outside license

131

333.7405D, Controlled substance - Maintaining a drug house

1

333.74071B, Controlled substance - Use of a fictitious license number

2

333.7407A1-A, Controlled substance - Attempt - Felony

75

333.7407A1-C, Controlled substance - Attempt - Misdemeanor

1

333.7407A-B, Controlled substance - Attempt - High misdemeanor

1

333.74102, Controlled substance - Distribution without remuneration - Marijuana

1

333.74103, Controlled substance - Possession with intent to deliver on school property - Narcotic or cocaine Less than 50 grams

3

333-74101-A, Controlled substance - Delivery to minor - Narcotic or cocaine - less than 50 grams

7

 Instances

Specific Violation of Public Health Code (Cont’d.)

9

333.74104-A, Controlled substance - Possession on school property - Narcotic or cocaine - Less than 25 grams

1

333.74104-D, Controlled substance - Possession on school property - Marihuana

1

333.7417, Controlled substance - Selling falsely represented products

2

333.7453, Controlled substance - Sale of paraphernalia

4

333.7455, Controlled substance - Sale of paraphernalia to minor

155

Not Answered/Left Blank as unspecified violations of the public health code

Instances

Specific Identity Theft Violations

18

445.65, Identity Theft

0

445.65-A, Identity Theft - Second offense

37

445.67-A, Personal identifying information - Obtain/possess/transfer with intent to commit identity theft - Second
offense

0

Unspecified/unanswered violations of Identity Theft Protection Act - MCL 445.79d

Instances

Specific Nuisance Violations

14

Property was used by, or kept for the use of prostitutes or other disorderly persons

4

Property was used for conduct prohibited by MCL 750.462a to MCL 750.462h - Human trafficking

878

Property was used for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, prostitution, or gambling

44

Property was used for the unlawful manufacture, transporting, sale, keeping for sale, bartering, or furnishing of
vinous, malt, brewed, fermented, spirituous, or intoxicating liquors or mixed liquors or beverages, any part of
which is intoxicating

1

Property was used to facilitate armed violence in connection with the unlawful use of a firearm or other
dangerous weapon

8

 Instances

Specific Violations of Omnibus Act

1

750.110, Breaking and entering - A building with intent

2

750.110A3, Home invasion - Second degree

7

750.145C2, Child sexually abusive activity

2

750.157Q, Financial transaction device - Illegal sale/use

2

750.157R, Financial transaction device - Forgery, alteration, or counterfeiting

2

750.2241-A, Weapons - Dangerous weapon - Miscellaneous

2

750.224A, Weapons -Taser - Possession or sale of

8

750.224F, Weapons - Firearms - Possession by felon

1

750.249, Uttering and publishing

1

750.251, Forgery - Bank bills/promissory notes

1

750.254, Uttering and publishing - Possession of counterfeit bank, state, or municipal bills

1

750.274, Fraud - Purchasing/collecting on fraudulent financial document

2

750.3565, Larceny - Less than $200.00

4

750.459, Prostitution/transporting person

8

750.520D, Criminal sexual conduct - Third degree

3

750.529, Robbery - Armed

5

750.5352A, Stolen property - Receiving and concealing - $20,000.00 or more

1

750.5352B, Stolen property - Receiving and concealing - $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00 - Third
or subsequent offense

5

750.5353A, Stolen property - Receiving and concealing - $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00

1

750.5355,Stolen property - Receiving and concealing - Less than $200.00

1

752.7973E, Computers - Using to commit a crime - 10 years or more but less than 20 years

7

Unspecified/unanswered violations classified as Omnibus Act

13

750.5353A, Stolen property - Receiving and concealing - $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00

3

752.7973A, Computers - Using to commit a crime - 1 year or less

12

Unspecified/unanswered violations classified as Omnibus Act

Instances
36

Other Entries
Entries with no violation entered for the reported seizure

9

 C8. Whether any person was charged with the violation for which the forfeiture was authorized. If yes,
whether that person was convicted, not convicted, or the charge is still pending.
Number

Charged, if yes Convicted?

228

Cooperated/assisted law enforcement to avoid criminal charges *

736

Not charged with a violation for which forfeitures were authorized

2,368

Charged with a violation - Charges Still Pending

2,876

Charged and Convicted for Violation for which Forfeiture was Authorized

220

Charged but not Convicted for Violation for which Forfeiture was Authorized

170

Charged but Conviction Status Not Answered in Survey

68

Neither Charge or Conviction Status Answered in Survey

* Many persons accused of crimes cooperated with authorities, resulting in criminal charges not being pursued.
This category was added this year for tracking.
C9. Whether any person claimed an interest in the property and the number of claimants to the property.
Number

Number of Persons Claiming an Interest in the Property

4,606

0 Persons Claimed an Interest in the Property

1,875

1 Person Claimed an Interest in the Property

44

2 Persons Claimed an Interest in the Property

3

3 Persons Claimed an Interest in the Property

2

4 Persons Claimed an Interest in the Property

136

Not Answered

C10. Whether the forfeiture resulted from an adoptive seizure.
Number

Did the Forfeiture Result from an Adoptive Seizure

351

Yes

6,131

No

184

Not Answered

10

 C11. Whether the property was seized pursuant to a search warrant, arrest warrant, or search incident to
arrest.
Number

Search Warrant, Arrest Warrant, or Search Incident to Arrest

2,090

Search Warrant

85

Arrest Warrant

2,740

Search Incident to Arrest

1,750

No Warrant

C12. Whether a controlled substance was found in the course of the investigation that resulted in the
forfeiture of the property.
Number

Controlled Substance Found in the Course of the Investigation

5,391

Yes

1,266

No

9

Not Answered

Section D: Net Total Proceeds
MCL 28.112(1)(i)
Report the net total proceeds of all property forfeited through actions instituted by the reporting agency
that the reporting agency is required to account for and report to the state treasurer.
Amount
$13,137,829

Net Total Proceeds
Net Total Proceeds reported to MSP for January 1, 2017, thru December 31, 2017

Note: This report includes only the net proceeds of property that was seized on or after the effective date of the act
and forfeited during the reporting period.

11

 Section E: Forfeiture Proceedings under the Public Health Code
MCL 28.112(1)(j)(i)
The reporting agencies were requested to report the use of asset forfeiture funds as a percentage of the
agency’s total expenditures of asset forfeiture funds in 13 broad categories: personnel, overtime,
vehicles, equipment, federal grant match, informant fees, buy money, training, crime prevention and
public outreach, animal expenses, supplies and materials, non-profit organizations, and other expenses.
Expenditure of Funds
Category
Personnel
Overtime
Vehicles
Equipment
Federal Grant Match
Informant Fees
Buy Money
Training
Crime Prevention/Public Outreach
Animal Expenses
Supplies and Materials
Shared with Other Agencies
Non-profit Organizations
Other
TOTAL

Percentage
8.5%
2.5%
9.0%
36.0%
1.0%
1.0%
4.0%
5.0%
3.0%
2.0%
7.0%
3.0%
1.0%
17.0%
100.0%

The following are examples of reported expenditures by category:
Personnel: Asset forfeiture funds are used to fund community policing officers, multijurisdictional drug
team personnel, local and county agency drug team personnel, and civilian personnel.
Overtime: Drug investigations are often initiated in the late evening/early morning hours. Certified
methamphetamine laboratory responders, raid entry teams, and canine handlers are examples of
frequently used personnel that require overtime payment.
Vehicles: The increasing cost of vehicles has been a major factor in increased police department
operating cost budgets. The use of asset forfeiture funds has offset some of these costs.
Equipment: Law enforcement is seeing rapid changes in technology to assist agencies in working more
efficiently and effectively. Records management systems, mobile data terminals, live stream video, and
evidence collection enhancements are examples of expenditures from this category.
Federal Grant Match: Grant matching funds help increase the number of investigators and prosecutors
dedicated to drug enforcement. Multijurisdictional task forces rely heavily on federal funds to operate
and most of these funds require a cash match.
Informant Fees: Asset forfeiture funds are used for informant fees to assist in solving complex drug
investigations.

12

 Buy Money: Assembling cases against drug traffickers requires resources for undercover agents to
conduct drug purchases, often over a period of time. Enforcement budgets may be inadequate for this
expenditure. Asset forfeiture funds fill this gap and provide needed resources, especially for smaller law
enforcement agencies.
Training: The majority of sworn personnel assigned to multijurisdictional task forces require formal
narcotics investigative training. Law enforcement agencies are providing more training for personnel to
keep current with new technological advances. Asset forfeiture funds can assist agencies with these
costs.
Crime Prevention and Public Outreach: Law enforcement agencies are providing education and
awareness programs throughout the state. These efforts may include presentations to schools and
community groups.
Animal Expenses: Canines have proven to be a valuable asset to law enforcement. Law enforcement
agencies and one multijurisdictional task force reported spending asset forfeiture funds on medical and
maintenance costs for their canine programs.
Supplies and Materials: Supplies and materials are considered operational items that cost under
$5,000, including computers, copier leases, cellular telephones, and vehicle/building maintenance.
Materials and supplies utilized by multijurisdictional task force personnel are not normally provided for in
a participating agency’s budget so multijurisdictional task forces often use asset forfeiture funds to
support their supplies and materials expenditures.
Shared with Other Agency: Some forfeitures result from joint investigations or multijurisdictional task
force investigations. Therefore proceeds are shared among participating agencies.
Non-profit Organizations: Many local police agencies and county sheriff’s offices reported contributing
a percentage of their asset forfeiture funds to local crime alert organizations as allowed by MCL
333.7524(1)(b)(ii).
Other: Expenditures reported in this category were utilized for building/utility costs for narcotics unit
operations, cellular telephone bills, global positioning tracker services, extradition costs, drug awareness
kits, vehicle purchases, off-site storage units for toxic materials, dispatching consortium fees, aviation
fees, and evidence collection materials.
F: Donated Grow Lights and Scales
MCL 28.112(1)(j)(ii)
Distribution to Schools
MCL 333.7524(2) allows for the donation of forfeited lights for plant growth or scales to elementary
schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education.
Lights and Scales Donated
24

Number of Lights for Plant Growth

31

Number of Scales

6

Number of Schools Receiving Donated Equipment

$2,343

Total Cash Value of Lights and Scales
13

 Section G: Net Proceeds of Revised Judicature Act (Nuisance) Proceedings
MCL 28.112(1)(k)
Amount

$0
$48
$0

Other persons entitled to the proceeds of Nuisance Proceedings
Human Trafficking Victims
Other Persons
Reported Paid to State Treasurer

Section H: Net Proceeds of Revised Judicature Act (Omnibus) Proceedings
MCL 28.112(1)(l)
Amount
$76,431
$524

Net Proceeds of Revised Judicature Act (Omnibus) Proceedings
Amount Used to Enhance Enforcement of Criminal Laws
Amount Used to Implement William Van Regenmorter Crime Victim's Rights Act

 

14