Pubdate: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 The Morning Star Contact: http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352 DRUG HOUSE FORFEITED TO CROWN A judge has decided that an Oyama house, connected to a marijuana grow operation, should be forfeited to the Crown. The property on Pada Road had been sold prior to the judgement and the proceeds are estimated at about $157,000. "The forfeiture of offence-related property is a judicial measure available on conviction that can effectively hit criminals in the pocketbook, exacting an economic accounting for financially lucrative crimes such as drug trafficking, in addition to more traditional forms of sentencing," said Cst. Steve Holmes, a media relations officer with the RCMP. On Nov. 3, 2006, police converged on the property and found a marijuana grow operation situated in an outbuilding. All but 180 plants had been removed prior to police arriving on scene. "Along with the remainder of the plants, police seized growing equipment, and 2.5 kilograms of marijuana from another room in the building," said Holmes. "An electrical bypass was also located." Police arrested 32-year-old Kelly Dennison, who was the owner of the residence, Nov. 4, 2006. She was charged with production of a controlled substance and theft of electricity. Dennison was ultimately convicted and was sentenced March 22, 2010 to two years on a conditional sentence order. She is to serve her sentence in the community, with conditions including house arrest and curfew. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D