Pamela Chin, Special Assistant Attorney General, Unit Chief
Steve Falvo, Asset Forfeiture

The Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit has three primary areas of responsibility: felony prosecution of narcotics cases, organized crime prosecution, and asset forfeiture. The following is a brief summary of the Unit's responsibilities.

Narcotics Prosecution

Responsibilities include:

• Drafting and editing paperwork related to the electronic surveillance of targeted offenders;
• Management and oversight of electronic surveillance investigations;
• Providing legal advice and assistance to police departments;
• Working with the police on the investigation of narcotics-related activity;
• Representing the State at bail hearings involving potentially non-bailable narcotics offenses;
• Presenting narcotics-related cases to the county and statewide grand juries;

Organized Crime

In addition to the narcotics-related duties, the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit is responsible for:

• Working closely with the police on both traditional and nontraditional organized crime related cases.
• Providing document support and case management on electronic surveillance cases involving organized crime figures.
• Working with police and other members of the criminal justice system to develop cooperating witnesses and informants.
• Handling all pretrial matters, including bail hearings and motions related to organized crime type cases.
• Prosecuting all organized crime related cases before petit juries throughout Rhode Island.

Asset Forfeiture

The asset forfeiture counsel is assisted by an asset forfeiture coordinator, who is responsible for processing, and in many cases litigating, all narcotic, gambling and racketeer related asset forfeiture requests. These forfeiture requests involve money, personal property, and/or real estate. Proceeds from the sale of these forfeited assets represent an important source of financing for continuing drug and crime suppression efforts of state and local police.