A new report shows that a regional drug task force had among the most criminal forfeiture incidents in Minnesota last year, though statewide numbers were down.

The 2008 Criminal Forfeitures Report, issued by State Auditor Rebecca Otto Thursday, lists the Southeast Minnesota Narcotics and Gang Task Force as the third-busiest unit in the state with 224 incidents.

The two busiest agencies were the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol.

Minnesota overall had 3,823 cases, down 22.5 percent from 2007.

Seized property and cash often come from drug busts, but crimes such as murder, prostitution and fraud can also result in forfeitures.

Proceeds from sales — which totaled $3.5 million in Minnesota last year — are used by law enforcement agencies.

The Southeast Minnesota Narcotics and Gang Task Force, which is composed of various sheriff’s offices and police departments, including the Mower County Sheriff’s Office and the Austin Police Department, made $279,835 in net proceeds from seized property and cash.

Sheriff Terese Amazi and police chief Paul Philipp both said hard work and cooperation between different agencies has led to the task force’s success.

“We have a strong working relationship and a strong commitment,” Philipp said.

Both also acknowledged that the task force has seen an increased caseload in recent years.

Recently, the task force conducted a search in Mapleview that led to two arrests, as well as the recovery of small amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana.

Bryan Douglas Battin, 43, and Angelina Marie Barnes, 37, were both arrested July 29 and face felony drug possession charges.