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. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D