Anaheim : Drug Enforcement Pays Dividends to the City

The city Police Department Wednesday found itself richer by $22,800, the city’s share of booty confiscated during a cocaine investigation last year.

It is the second check Anaheim has received from the federal government since the enactment of a law that allows the Drug Enforcement Administration to share seized and forfeited property with local police, Anaheim Police Sgt. Vince Howard said.

Anaheim is still awaiting word on its application for a $1-million-plus share of two other seizures. The first, which involved $4.1 million confiscated in 1984, is believed to be the largest-ever such seizure of cash in Southern California. In the second, about $24,000 cash, three vehicles and three pieces of real estate were confiscated during an investigation conducted in 1985. (In that case, agents also confiscated more than 200 pounds of cocaine, considered the largest seizure of narcotics in Orange County history.)

“We’re turning around and taking some of these profits that crooks have made and (using) them for our investigations,” Howard said.

On Wednesday, U.S. Chief Marshal Samuel Cicchino gave Anaheim Police Chief Jimmie D. Kennedy a check for $22,800, representing the city’s share of the $57,000 cash seized in an undercover operation in Whittier last April. Police also seized about three-fourths of a pound of cocaine; about half a pound of marijuana; 14 weapons, including a machine gun, and cocaine wrappers.

Manuel Lorenzo Jr., 28, and his father, Manuel Lorenzo Sr., 57, were arrested, have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, Howard said.

Before the law went into effect in January, 1985, the federal government kept all goods police seized, Howard said. Now, local agencies can apply for a share of the cash or property if the goods are not claimed by rightful owners who are not involved in the criminal activity. A month ago, Anaheim received a share of money seized and forfeited in another case, netting the city $13,365, Howard said.