An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know United States Drug Enforcement Administration SEARCH FULL MENU Main Menu DEA Asset Forfeiture Asset forfeiture is a tool in our country’s battle against drug abuse, helping to shut down “pill mills” and stop rogue doctors and pharmacists, as well as dealers. Main Menu Law Enforcement DEA Office Of Training El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) Forensic Sciences Intelligence Operations Administrative Law Judges DEA Asset Forfeiture Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program HIDTA OCDETF State And Local Task Forces Education And Prevention Drug Information News The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) uses forfeiture to attack the financial structure of drug trafficking and money laundering groups worldwide, from the lowly courier carrying cash or drugs to the top levels of drug cartels. Forfeiture, particularly civil forfeiture (see below), is very effective against drug crimes committed for profit. DEA's Responsibility and Authority DEA agents swear to uphold the Constitution, and their actions are subject to federal court review. DEA’s authority to investigate crime and forfeit assets comes from Congress. To seize property, DEA agents must have probable cause (the same legal standard needed to arrest someone) and obtain a warrant from a judge (with some exceptions). The US Department of Justice oversees the Forfeiture Program. What is Asset Forfeiture? What are the effects of asset forfeiture? What are the types of forfeiture? What does the Constitution say about forfeiture? Can I get seized property back from DEA? DEA Asset Forfeiture Statistics DEA Public Forfeiture Notices Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Locator Who We Are About Domestic Divisions Foreign Offices Contact Us DEA Museum What We Do Drug Prevention Law Enforcement Diversion Control Division News Careers Overview Special Agent Diversion Investigator Forensic Sciences Intelligence Research Specialist Resources Drug Information Employee Assistance Program Equal Opportunity Employer FOIA Publications Media Galleries VWAP Doing Business with the DEA Overview Current Vendors Prospective Vendors Security Clauses Security Forms Small Business Program Policies Accessibility, Plug-ins & Policy Legal Policies & Disclaimers No FEAR Act Privacy Policy U.S. Department of Justice EEO Policy USA.gov Whistleblower Protection United States Drug Enforcement Administration DEA.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram DEA Contact Center (202) 307-1000 info@dea.gov Contact the Webmaster