Pubdate: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Abbotsford News Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/BkAJKrUD Website: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) CRIMINAL WHEELS AT AUCTION Four luxury vehicles seized from suspected drug traffickers are being auctioned off by the province under B.C.'s civil forfeiture law. The 2005 H2 Hummer, a 2003 Mercedes Benz ML500, a 2004 Acura RSX and a 1995 Toyota 4Runner - worth a combined $65,000 - are being stored at the province's Asset Investment Recovery Warehouse in Surrey. "These vehicles were all used as tools for criminal activity," said Solicitor General Kash Heed. "Seizing these high-end toys sends a strong message to those who enjoy them as fruits of unlawful activity." Bidding on the vehicles continues until Oct. 22 at www.bcauction.ca. Although the vehicles are being stored in Surrey, none was actually seized in Metro Vancouver. The Hummer was seized by Victoria Police, the Toyota was seized amid busts of outdoor marijuana grow-ops by Sunshine Coast RCMP and the other two vehicles were stopped containing drugs in routine police road checks by the Victoria Integrated Road Safety Unit. As of Tuesday, the Hummer had the high bid of $18,235 while the top bidder for the Toyota is just $1,575. More than $7.5 million in vehicles, cash and real estate have been forfeited to the province under the civil forfeiture legislation. The money helps support the forfeiture program, grants to victims and community crime prevention, including the Vancouver Police Department's ConAir program. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D