Pubdate: Wed, 31 Jan 2001
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2001 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202
Fax: (303) 820.1502
Website: http://www.denverpost.com/
Forum: http://www.denverpost.com/voice/voice.htm
Author: Mike McPhee
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

POLICE DIVVY DRUG BUST MONEY

Jan. 31, 2001 - A total of $3.5 million, part of nearly $6 million found a 
year ago in a drug dealer's storage locker in Fort Collins, was distributed 
Tuesday to law enforcement agencies.

U.S. Attorney Tom Strickland handed out checks to representatives of six 
local agencies, one state agency and two federal agencies that helped in 
the investigation of nearly $10 million linked to marijuana smuggler Robert 
Golding.

"This is justice at its best, taking illgotten gains and putting them back 
into the hands of local law-enforcement agencies," Strickland said.

Aurora Police Chief Verne Saint Vincent said he knew some money was coming 
but never expected it to be that much and that soon. He said the department 
is getting a $270,000 command vehicle - a hightech RV that is deployed to 
crime scenes and emergencies - next month, paid for with other seizure 
money. Chris Olson, director of Englewood's department, said the money may 
be used to expand the department's facilities or on a command vehicle.

Douglas County Sheriff Steve Zotos said he hopes to purchase forensic 
computer equipment and apply some of the money toward air support.

The money practically dropped into the laps of federal authorities, who had 
been looking for Golding for six years. They connected Golding with a woman 
who was arrested in January 2000 coming across the Canada border.

Searching her vehicle, U.S. Customs agents found $190,000 in cash and a 
rent receipt to a storage locker in Fort Collins. Federal drug agents 
opened the locker and found $5,995,525, mostly in $20 bills, weighing 400 
pounds.

A few days later, Golding, 43, was stopped in a rental car in Colby, Kan., 
for allegedly making an illegal turn.

When a police officer started searching the car, Golding got out and 
fatally shot himself in the head. Police found $4 million in duffel bags in 
the trunk, which was distributed to Kansas lawenforcement agencies, which 
also helped in the investigation.
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