hmmmmm.... the adverage amount of funds seized is $800 and the program uses computer analysis to red-flag wire transactions that appear suspicious, and then a seizure warrant is issued by a Superior Court judge. But don't worry individuals who've been accidentally caught up in the financial dragnet can contact a 1-800 number to clear their transaction, though critics have called the process cumbersome. Sounds like a racist plan where the cops seize the money of anybody who is Mexican and then make them prove they ain't criminals to get the money back! A great source of revenue for the cops. The article says they have stolen $15 million. Original Article State targets wired funds of immigrant smugglers Money of 'coyotes' seized Matthew Benson The Arizona Republic Mar. 21, 2006 12:00 AM Targeting wire transfers into Arizona, the state is hoping to hamper the finances of smuggling operations that bring scores of illegal immigrants across the border each year. Since March 2005 authorities in Arizona have halted 12,417 wire transfers, seizing $15 million in funds, $3 million in vehicles and $5 million in property. The intercepted transfers, averaging $800 to $1,800 each, typically are payments sent by individuals in Mexico to coyotes and other groups involved in illegal immigration north of the border. The problem is sizable: An estimated $320 million is paid each year to organizations in Phoenix involved in the smuggling of undocumented immigrants. A collaborative effort between financial institutions, the courts and state and local law enforcement, the wire-transfers program is "going after the financial underpinnings of the coyote organizations," Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said Monday. "We're very proud of the results so far. It's making a huge difference." The Arizona Republic first reported the program in May. Goddard and Gov. Janet Napolitano, the state's top two Democrats, announced the program's achievements at a news conference Monday, the same day as a meet-and-greet with Julie Myers, the newly appointed head of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Myers did not participate in the press briefing. Jeanine L'Ecuyer, the governor's spokeswoman, conceded that the initial intent was to have Myers on hand "to announce a new level of cooperation with ICE," specifically with regard to the financial seizures. "That's what we had hoped would happen," L'Ecuyer said following the press briefing. "It didn't. She simply wasn't ready to commit to anything. "The reason given was scheduling. I truly don't know." Whatever occurred happened sometime between Friday afternoon, when Myers was slated to attend the press briefing, and Monday morning, when she no longer was. Carrying on without Myers, Napolitano noted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has pledged 10 new agents for the Phoenix office by the end of April. Arizona is now receiving the greatest share of Immigration and Customs Enforcement resources going to any state, Napolitano said. An interagency task force involving state and local police, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will begin operating soon, as well. "We're going after the major alien smuggling organizations and drug smuggling organizations," Myers said in an interview following her meeting with the governor. But the wire-transfers program was the focus Monday. It's similar to one in use in California, and Goddard estimated it has affected "hundreds" of smuggling rings in the five years it has been used in Arizona. The program uses computer analysis to red-flag wire transactions into Arizona that appear suspicious. A state financial crimes task force than steps in and, when there's enough evidence of wrongdoing, a seizure warrant is sought from a Superior Court judge. Individuals who've been accidentally caught up in the financial dragnet can contact a 1-800 number to clear their transaction, though critics have called the process cumbersome. The hope, Napolitano said, is that coyotes will look elsewhere to ply their trade. For some Republicans, however, the day's events were another example of politics as usual when it comes to this governor and immigration. "It's the same ol' same ol'. This governor holds press conferences instead of solving the problem," said Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, one of Napolitano's staunchest critics on border issues. While Pearce said he supports targeting the finances of human smugglers, he accused the governor of attaching herself to popular efforts while ignoring other attempts to secure the border.