United States v. Four Parcels of Real Property on Lake Forrest Circle in Riverchase

TJOFLAT, Circuit Judge:

I

This case involves a dispute over assets of a convicted narcotics smuggler and trafficker, Jack Frederick Hoback.1 Beginning in the late 1970’s, Hoback used airplanes owned by his aircraft leasing company to engage in a large scale, highly successful drug smuggling operation which imported Colombian cocaine and marijuana into the United States. Hoback and his wife Pamela used the proceeds of the narcotics operation to purchase four parcels of real estate in Riverchase, Alabama — a suburb of Birmingham. In 1981, the Hobacks built a residence on one of the lots, located…