Pubdate: Thu, 01 Apr 1999
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer (PA)
Copyright: 1999 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.phillynews.com/
Forum: http://interactive.phillynews.com/talk-show/
Author: Mark Binker, INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF

DRUG DEALER'S PROPERTY UP FOR AUCTION IN BUCKS

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP  -- Those of us in the market for a pair of size 10
men's Gucci loafers, queen-size satin sheets or a 1989 Geo Spectrum
just got lucky.

In a case of Miami Vice meets Monty Hall, the Bucks County District
Attorney's Office later this month will auction off property seized
from convicted drug dealers during the last eight months.Scheduled for
April 24 in Bristol Township, the auction is the 16th in a series that
since 1987 has generated $745,342 to pay for undercover narcotics
investigations and crime-fighting equipment in the county.

And $872,909 more has been raised by auctioning seized real
estate.

Anything used to transport illegal drugs or bought with the proceeds
of drug sales is fair game to be confiscated and sold under
Pennsylvania forfeiture laws, said District Attorney Alan M. Rubenstein.

"This is our largest auction, in terms of the number of items," he
said. There are 260 lots, some of which include multiple items.

Aside from cars, property up for bid ranges from the practical  -- a
Proctor Silex iron and Mr. Coffee coffeemaker  -- to the luxurious  --
diamond rings and high-fashion watches.

For car shoppers, a black 1996 GMC Yukon is among the 28 automobiles
that could move on from toting contraband to perhaps hauling Little
Leaguers.

A 1976 Ford Granada is the oldest car on the auction block, while a
red, two-door 1987 Cadillac El Dorado, with 164,655 miles on the
odometer, has the highest mileage. Three Ford Mustangs, all with
high-powered, eight-cylinder engines, also will be sold.

To ensure the event produces a tidy profit for crime-fighting efforts,
minimum bids are attached to each lot. But most of the property,
including two of the three Mustangs, requires a minimum bid of $25 or
less.

Among the items available for a $1 minimum bid are men's size 9
Timberland boots, a Bell Atlantic Caller ID box, a Mali pool cue, and
an assortment of CDs.

In the $5 range, bidders will find a set of two swords, a cue stick
and case, and a set of six videotapes in the Godfather series.

If You Go Merchandise will be available for inspection and bidding
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 23, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday,
April 24. Bids will be accepted in writing both days and opened at 1
p.m. April 24. The address is 7231 New Falls Rd., Bristol Township.

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MAP posted-by: Rich O'Grady