Asset Forfeiture Unit

The Asset Forfeiture Unit is responsible for forfeiting a defendant's proceeds, substituted proceeds, or instrumentalities of criminal activities. The Unit can restrain a defendant's identified assets prior to his arrest through one of the provisional remedies under Article 13-A of New York State's Civil Practice Law and Rules, or wait to commence a civil action following a defendant's arrest. The Unit also has a Landlord Responsibility Program, which identifies private residential buildings that have substantial drug activities. The Unit works closely with the landlord to resolve the drug problem. If a landlord fails to take all reasonable steps under the circumstances to eliminate the drug problem, the Unit can seek forfeiture of the building under federal or state forfeiture laws. The Unit works in conjunction with other DANY bureaus and units as well as the police department and federal agencies.