A United States Attorney may recommend in writing that a federal law enforcement agency adopt a particular state or local seizure or category of seizures for federal forfeiture. If the federal agency declines to adopt the seizure but has no objection to the direct adoption of the seizure by the United States Attorney for judicial forfeiture under federal law, the United States Attorney may adopt the seizure and pursue the forfeiture civilly or criminally. On the other hand, if the federal agency declines to adopt the seizure and believes that it should not be adopted for federal forfeiture and the United States Attorney disagrees, the United States Attorney may refer the matter to the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF). After consulting with the headquarters office of the seizing agency, MNF may authorize direct adoption of the seizure or category of seizures by the United States Attorney where a compelling law enforcement purpose justifies such action. See Chapter 1 of the Asset Forfeiture Policy Manual.

[updated January 2026] [cited in JM 9-2.400; 9-119.102]