VEHICLES USED BY DRUG DEALERS FOR SALE

VICTORIA - Two SUVs that were alleged to have been used to deliver
drugs on Vancouver Island have become the first vehicles forfeited to
the province under a civil forfeiture action, Solicitor General John
van Dongen announced.

The vehicles, worth an estimated $60,000, are now for sale.

"Today's event is another reminder of the growing consequences of
unlawful activity - particularly activity that threatens public
safety," said van Dongen. "Since the end of March, we've seen nearly
$1 million forfeited to the province.

In the two years since B.C.'s Civil Forfeiture Act came into force,
the province has prevailed in 38 cases and seen more than $4.8
million in cash, vehicles and other valuable property forfeited. This
spring, the province expanded the law to make property used for
unlawful activity that is likely to cause serious bodily harm, like
drunk driving and street racing, or likely to generate profit, such
as marijuana cultivation, subject to civil forfeiture proceedings.

The vehicles are listed and open to bidding until Aug. 5 on the BC
Auction website at www.bcauction.ca online.