MORTGAGED GROW-OP HOMES TO BE SOLD BEFORE TRIAL HELD

Two mortgage lenders have been given permission to sell houses seized
by police for having marijuana grow-ops.

The homes in Mission and Port Moody legally couldn't be sold until
after the criminal trials were held.

But B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Brenner found that it was
unfair to prevent a mortgage lender from getting access to its assets
for what could be years.

While large financial institutions may be able to withstand such a
delay "not all mortgage financing is provided by such institutions,"
said Brenner.

The judge granted Scotia Mortgage Corporation permission to sell a
Port Moody property assessed at $430,000. The amount owing under the
mortgage is $258,000.

He also granted Maple Trust company permission to sell a Mission
property assessed at $448,000 with an outstanding mortgage of $227,000.