Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2013 The Calgary Sun Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67 Author: Kevin Martin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) POT-GROWING SENIOR LOSES HOME The Calgary senior busted for keeping a marijuana grow operation in her basement must forfeit her home, a judge ruled Friday. Justice Carolyn Phillips dismissed claims by Heng Kiet Kouch, 66, that the 128-plant operation for which she was handed a conditional sentence, belonged to former tenants. The senior's home was raided July 14, 2010. Defence counsel Alain Hepner had asked Phillips to deny an application for forfeiture of Kouch's Applewood home by department of justice lawyer Cynthia Hykaway. But Phillips agreed with Hykaway that the home was an integral instrument in the crime for which Kouch was convicted. Kouch was handed a one year community term - which included four months of house arrest - after pleading guilty to cultivation. The pensioner testified she had allowed two men, named Lien and Tuan, to rent the basement in March, 2010 after being introduced to them by a woman known only as Miss Four. But Phillips rejected her evidence, finding that Kouch stood to profit greatly. Hepner had argued forfeiture would amount to punishing the senior a second time. "Forfeiture in this case does not amount to punishment," she said, ordering the home, valued around $169,000, turned over to the Crown. Kouch, her 89-year-old mother and daughter and her two children, have three months to vacate. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom