Asset forfeiture law makes it easier to confiscate illicit properties

Santo Domingo.- Assets that have been used to, or intendedto hide or mix proceeds from crime, or a product of a wrongful act, even beforethere has been a ruling to determine criminal liability, will be subjected to acourt decision on forfeiture of illicit goods.

The Civil Illicit Asset Forfeiture Law approved by theSenate, and which the Chamber of Deputies is also expected to pass, would allowthe forfeiture of properties involved indrug trafficking or other illicit activities, such as organized crime,conviction or not.

A judge will be able to rule for forfeiture to terminatethe right of ownership to an asset, whether tangible or intangible, declaringthe State ownership and public property.

The ruling of forfeiture “shall be irrevocable, withoutconsideration or compensation for the affected," says Article 4 of thatbill.