Morganelli: A Record Year for Seized Drug Assets

This year has brought in a record amount of county drug forfeiture money, Northampton County District Attorney Patrick Morganelli announced at a news conference Wednesday morning.

More than $283,000 in cash and property was seized from drug dealers between July of 2010 and June of 2011, the fiscal year for forfeiture operations, Morganelli said.

That's up from $68,491 in 2008-09 and $90,000 in 2009-10.

An estimated 60 to 75 percent of all the money seized in the county comes from busts in the cities of Bethlehem and Easton, Morganelli said, attributing the increase to the culmination of some real estate sales, as well as an increase in forfeitures.

About $150,000 was in cash seized from drug dealers, and the remaining $133,000 was in real estate sales. Vehicles of drug dealers are either auctioned or kept for police use.

Forfeiture funds are earmarked for the war on drugs and the money is used to purchase police equipment, fund controlled undercover buys, and fund training and education programs, Morganelli said. The money also pays the salary of an assistant DA.

“By statute the assets ... can be used to fight the war on drugs,” he said. “This is a record year for the Northampton County task force, and the credit goes to Bethlehem and Easton.”

The cities each received $10,000 of the funds.

The City of Easton, which received its check about two weeks ago, has earmarked the funds for purchasing equipment for the newly re-formed special response unit, while Bethlehem will set the funds aside for its K9 program.

In attendance were Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and Police Commissioner Jason Schiffer, and from the Easton Police Department Captain Michael Vangelo and Lt. John Ramaly.

Morganelli said working closely with both departments has made the difference.

“What we're really talking about is gang issues,” he said. “The primary reason we see these issues is drugs.”

He said continued police efforts and busts have led to successes.

“The Latin Kings gang is pretty much out of business in Bethlehem,” Morganelli said. “There's always remnants, but they're essentially done.”

Callahan said the forfeiture fund increase is an indication of good cooperation between the cities and the DA's office, noting that the quality of evidence police have been providing has helped settle cases with dealers “doing real time.”

He added that the city is always struggling with resources, so the funds are always welcome.

Over the years, the city has been raising money to help fund its police department's K9 unit, which has two canine officers with one about to retire, the mayor added.

“One of the beautiful things about Bethlehem is that when you put the call out, people respond,” Callahan said, noting the city has received many donations for the K9 unit, mostly in the $5 to $500 range. However, one woman recently anonymously gifted the city with $12,000 for the program.

“This will not only allow us to purchase (a new) dog, but it will fund the K9 unit for years to come,” Callahan said.

“We're looking for a really good dog (to replace the one that will be retiring shortly),” Schiffer said.

He added the canine officers not only sniff for drugs, but also help find lost people and can sniff for explosives.

The dogs have been particularly useful for security and explosive checks at Bethlehem's large events, such as Musikfest and when national dignitaries have visited the city, officials said, adding that they also assist in neighboring municipalities and school districts when requested.

“Our dogs get used hard,” Schiffer said.

Vangelo said the funds the Easton Police Department received will purchase additional protective gear for the department's special response team, which has recently received certification to serve mid-level warrants.

“This money will help us with the added ballistic protection, and hopefully add members to the team,” Vangelo said. “Without this money, we couldn't do that. We're glad for the additional protection.”

The EPD task force not only works in the city, but is available to give assistance to neighboring police departments.

“The task force is especially important because as we make arrests, (drug dealing) gets pushed out into the townships,” he said.

He too credited cooperation between the DA's office and other police departments.

“All the county vice and detectives need to keep working together,” Vangelo said. “We just hope the forfeitures keep coming in.”