Drug Investigations:
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program's Accomplishments
GGD-87-64BR: Published: May 6, 1987. Publicly Released: May 26, 1987.
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In response to a congressional request, GAO determined: (1) the validity of certain accomplishments the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) claimed, such as the number of offenders convicted, sentences imposed, criminal fines assessed, and non-drug assets seized and/or forfeited; (2) compliance with an OCDETF guideline requiring U.S. Attorney approval for pleas to less than the most serious charges; and (3) whether task force attorneys are seeking enhanced drug penalties for offenders with prior federal felony drug convictions.
GAO found that OCDETF reported that: (1) it convicted 1,408 offenders, but GAO identified 1,528 convictions; (2) about 80 percent of the 1,408 convicted offenders were sentenced to various prison terms; (3) it assessed $9,624,000 in criminal fines, whereas GAO identified $9,607,000; and (4) the value of asset seizures totalled $157.6 million and forfeitures amounted to $52 million. GAO also found that: (1) 16 districts did not follow the OCDETF guideline concerning plea agreements; (2) 16 districts obtained oral approval from the U.S Attorney; (3) 13 districts obtained oral or written approval from the U.S. attorney or some other official in the U.S. Attorney's office; and (4) 2 districts did not provide information. In addition, GAO reported that: (1) of 1,450 offenders convicted of drug offenses, 64 had prior felony drug convictions; (2) prosecutors sought the enhanced penalty for 27 of the 64 offenders; and (3) during the summer of 1987, the administrative staff will consider the issue of whether a prosecutor's decision not to seek an enhanced penalty should be subject to the approval of the U.S. Attorney.
Feb 24, 2021
Pregnant Women in DOJ Custody:
U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Prisons Should Better Align Policies with National GuidelinesGAO-21-147: Published: Jan 25, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 2021.
Oct 26, 2020
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Intellectual Property:
CBP Has Taken Steps to Combat Counterfeit Goods in Small Packages but Could Streamline EnforcementGAO-20-692: Published: Sep 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 26, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
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Federal Criminal Restitution:
Department of Justice Has Ongoing Efforts to Improve Its Oversight of the Collection of Restitution and Tracking the Use of Forfeited AssetsGAO-20-676R: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
Sep 10, 2020
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Federal Tactical Teams:
Characteristics, Training, Deployments, and InventoryGAO-20-710: Published: Sep 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 10, 2020.
Sep 8, 2020
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VA Police:
Actions Needed to Improve Data Completeness and Accuracy on Use of Force Incidents at Medical CentersGAO-20-599: Published: Sep 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 8, 2020.
Aug 13, 2020
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Anti-Money Laundering:
FinCEN Should Enhance Procedures for Implementing and Evaluating Geographic Targeting OrdersGAO-20-546: Published: Jul 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 13, 2020.
Jul 29, 2020
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Federal Prison Industries:
Actions Needed to Evaluate Program EffectivenessGAO-20-505: Published: Jul 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 2020.
Jul 8, 2020
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Gun Control:
DOJ Can Further Improve Guidance on Federal Firearm Background Check RecordsGAO-20-528: Published: Jul 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 8, 2020.
Jun 22, 2020
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Federal Prisons:
Additional Analysis Needed to Determine Whether to Issue Pepper Spray to Minimum Security PrisonsGAO-20-342: Published: Jun 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2020.
May 26, 2020
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Bureau of Prisons:
Improved Planning Would Help BOP Evaluate and Manage Its Portfolio of Drug Education and Treatment ProgramsGAO-20-423: Published: May 26, 2020. Publicly Released: May 26, 2020.
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