To minimize storage and management costs incurred by the Department of Justice, state and local agencies which present motor vehicles or other property items for federal adoptions may be asked to serve as substitute custodians of the property, pending forfeiture, at the discretion of the United States Marshals Service or Treasury, and upon consultation with the United States Attorney in judicial forfeiture cases. In addition, the United States Marshals Service may enter into a storage and maintenance agreement with state and local agencies covering such property. Such agreements are contractual in nature, and do not require district court approval. Under such an agreement, the state or local agency has a responsibility to provide adequate storage, security, and maintenance for all assets in their custody.

Any use of such vehicles, including official use, by state and local law enforcement officials or others is prohibited by Department of Justice and Department of Treasury policy until such time as the forfeiture is completed and the equitable transfer is made. See Chapter 5 of the Asset Forfeiture Policy Manual ("Use of Seized Property Where Custody is Retained by the State or Local Seizing Agency").

[updated May 2010]