2 DRUG-HAULING SUVS SEIZED BY PROVINCIAL GOV'T

Since end of March, civil forfeiture laws have amassed $1m

Glenda Luymes The Province

Two high-end SUVs that are believed to have been used to deliver
drugs on Vancouver Island have been seized by the province.

The modified rides, worth about $60,000, are the first vehicles
forfeited to the province under civil forfeiture laws.

"Today's event is another reminder of the growing consequences of
unlawful activity -- particularly activity that threatens public
safety," provincial Pub-lic Safety Minister John van Dongen said yester-day.

Since the end of March, almost $1 million in cash, vehicles and
property have been forfeited to the province.

The two SUVs are now for sale.

One is a chrome-laden, black 2003 Hummer H2 with Lamborghini-style
hydraulic doors, a $16,000 custom audio system with four huge
rear-facing speakers, a navigation system and TV screens mounted in
the front headrests of its beige leather seats.

The other is a white 2002 GMC Denali with large chrome "spinner"
wheels, a grey leather interior and tinted windows.

"When we collaborate with the province to pursue property --whether
it's cars, cash or a grow-op -- it means the property can't be used
to continue unlawful activity," said Victoria police Const. Peter
Lane, who referred the SUV matter to the civil forfeiture office.

"The civil forfeiture program provides another effective option for
police, and their record of success speaks for itself." In the two
years since B.C.'s civil forfeiture act came into force, the province
has won 38 cases and seen more than $4.8 million in cash and goods forfeited.

This spring, the province expanded the law to make property used for
unlawful activity that is likely to cause serious bodily harm, such
as drunk driving and street racing, or likely to generate profit,
such as marijuana cultivation, subject to the same proceedings.

In April, the province awarded $500,000 in forfeiture money to 27
community projects.

The SUVs are listed and open to bidding until Aug. 5 on the B.C.
Auction website at www.bcauction.ca.