Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jul 2008
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Glenda Luymes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

2 DRUG-HAULING SUVS SEIZED BY PROVINCIAL GOV'T

Since end of March, civil forfeiture laws have amassed $1m

Glenda Luymes The Province

Two high-end SUVs that are believed to have been used to deliver 
drugs on Vancouver Island have been seized by the province.

The modified rides, worth about $60,000, are the first vehicles 
forfeited to the province under civil forfeiture laws.

"Today's event is another reminder of the growing consequences of 
unlawful activity -- particularly activity that threatens public 
safety," provincial Pub-lic Safety Minister John van Dongen said yester-day.

Since the end of March, almost $1 million in cash, vehicles and 
property have been forfeited to the province.

The two SUVs are now for sale.

One is a chrome-laden, black 2003 Hummer H2 with Lamborghini-style 
hydraulic doors, a $16,000 custom audio system with four huge 
rear-facing speakers, a navigation system and TV screens mounted in 
the front headrests of its beige leather seats.

The other is a white 2002 GMC Denali with large chrome "spinner" 
wheels, a grey leather interior and tinted windows.

"When we collaborate with the province to pursue property --whether 
it's cars, cash or a grow-op -- it means the property can't be used 
to continue unlawful activity," said Victoria police Const. Peter 
Lane, who referred the SUV matter to the civil forfeiture office.

"The civil forfeiture program provides another effective option for 
police, and their record of success speaks for itself." In the two 
years since B.C.'s civil forfeiture act came into force, the province 
has won 38 cases and seen more than $4.8 million in cash and goods forfeited.

This spring, the province expanded the law to make property used for 
unlawful activity that is likely to cause serious bodily harm, such 
as drunk driving and street racing, or likely to generate profit, 
such as marijuana cultivation, subject to the same proceedings.

In April, the province awarded $500,000 in forfeiture money to 27 
community projects.

The SUVs are listed and open to bidding until Aug. 5 on the B.C. 
Auction website at www.bcauction.ca.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom