ANCASTER HOME SEIZED THROUGH CIVIL REMEDIES ACT

A three-year-old drug investigation led Hamilton police to seize an
upscale Meadowlands home, allegedly purchased by the proceeds of crime.

On Feb. 14, by order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the
Attorney General of Ontario, police seized the home at 50 Biggs Ave.
and a second Stoney Creek home that Sergeant Terri-Lynn Collings said
"were found to be proceeds of unlawful activity and instruments of
unlawful activity."

On Dec. 1, 2004, the Hamilton Police vice and drugs unit executed a
search warrant for theft of hydro at a Stoney Creek home. The search
resulted in the seizure of 291 marijuana plants and the arrest of a
34-year-old male and a 36-year-old female. Both were charged with
drug-related offences, including theft of hydro and proceeds of crime.

A proceeds of crime investigation confirmed that one of the accused
persons owned the grow house property, valued at $200,000, and that
the co-accused recently purchased the new property in the Ancaster
Meadowlands, valued at an estimated $400,000.

The investigation included the execution of two criminal code search
warrants and the seizure of $29,690 in cash and bank drafts,
documentation relating to the recent purchase of a $43,000 vehicle
and substantial documentation to support a proceeds of crime investigation.

"While the proceeds of crime investigation was continuing, Hamilton
Police learned that, as a result of a guilty plea entered by one of
the accused, the success of the proceeds of crime investigation was
called into question," said Sgt. Collings in a release. "As a result,
the legal services department of the Hamilton Police Service prepared
a civil remedies act submission in relation to approximately $668,000
in cash and property with an estimated cash equity of $370,000."