Pubdate: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 Source: Windsor Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2006 The Windsor Star Contact: http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501 Author: Brian Cross Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) HOMEHUNTERS SAVING MONEY ON POT HOUSES Big beneficiaries of the largest growhouse raid in Windsor history may well be the people who snapped up the houses -- seized and sold according to proceeds of crime legislation -- for bargain prices. On average, they bought their houses for about $30,000 less than the assessed values. Following the June 2004 raid on 11 homes -- including seven suspected growhouses -- five growhouses were ultimately "restrained," and then sold. Upon conviction of the people owning or operating the growhouses, the proceeds after mortgages, hydro bills and other debts are paid, resulted in $113,000 -- an average of $22,600 per house -- going to the government. That money goes into a federal seized property proceeds account, and is dispersed to the involved jurisdictions, according to Pierre Manoni, spokesman for Public Works and Government Services Canada. He said the houses are inspected and cleaned and a real estate agent is retained to sell them. The agent is required to advise all prospective buyers the houses were growhouses, according to Manoni. The new owners who were interviewed claimed they found no permanent damage -- such as mould and water damage -- or musty odours. They said they were aware of the homes' histories and had thorough home inspections before taking possession. At 908 Curry Ave., the federal government took control of the property, sold it, and after debts were paid and the owner of the growhouse, Sinh Kim Ho, was convicted, $15,000 was forfeited to the government. Elias and Mary Hindi paid $55,000, according to land registry records, for the 11/2-storey house. Its assessed value, according to city hall tax records, is $97,000. On Thursday, the Hindis couldn't be reached, but a contractor was working at the house putting finishing touches on renovations that he understood were intended to make it attractive to renters. The residence at 3930 Acorn Cres., in a newer subdivision between Provincial and Division roads, is a raised-ranch home with an assessed value of $162,000. After it was seized, it was purchased for $135,000 by Betty Jo Delben. The government got $26,368. One block over, on Maple Leaf Crescent, a similar house was seized and sold for $139,500, almost $30,000 less than the $169,000 assessed value. The forfeit to the government amounted to $10,195. "It was really a good deal," said the owner, who spoke on condition her name not be used. Like other homeowners interviewed, they are nervous about having their homes identified as former growhouses because they don't want the values to drop. The owner said she and her husband had a home inspection before moving in. They've spent considerable time and money fixing it up and finishing the basement. "To me, personally, I mean, we wouldn't stay here if there were any problems with the house." The house that the government stands to make the most on, $55,000, is on Lounsborough Street in the same general area as the Acorn and Maple Leaf homes. The new owner paid $205,000 for a spacious house valued at $236,000. The land registry records for another former growhouse on Mercer Street were incomplete. The amount forfeited to the government was $17,290. Two suspected growhouses that were raided June 22 were not seized by the government. One, on Conservation Drive behind Devonshire Mall, was sold before the government could get it restrained. The other, on Felix Avenue, was empty of marijuana plants when police raided it. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman