POLICE DIVVY DRUG BUST MONEY

Jan. 31, 2001 - A total of $3.5 million, part of nearly $6 million found a
year ago in a drug dealer's storage locker in Fort Collins, was distributed
Tuesday to law enforcement agencies.

U.S. Attorney Tom Strickland handed out checks to representatives of six
local agencies, one state agency and two federal agencies that helped in
the investigation of nearly $10 million linked to marijuana smuggler Robert
Golding.

"This is justice at its best, taking illgotten gains and putting them back
into the hands of local law-enforcement agencies," Strickland said.

Aurora Police Chief Verne Saint Vincent said he knew some money was coming
but never expected it to be that much and that soon. He said the department
is getting a $270,000 command vehicle - a hightech RV that is deployed to
crime scenes and emergencies - next month, paid for with other seizure
money. Chris Olson, director of Englewood's department, said the money may
be used to expand the department's facilities or on a command vehicle.

Douglas County Sheriff Steve Zotos said he hopes to purchase forensic
computer equipment and apply some of the money toward air support.

The money practically dropped into the laps of federal authorities, who had
been looking for Golding for six years. They connected Golding with a woman
who was arrested in January 2000 coming across the Canada border.

Searching her vehicle, U.S. Customs agents found $190,000 in cash and a
rent receipt to a storage locker in Fort Collins. Federal drug agents
opened the locker and found $5,995,525, mostly in $20 bills, weighing 400
pounds.

A few days later, Golding, 43, was stopped in a rental car in Colby, Kan.,
for allegedly making an illegal turn.

When a police officer started searching the car, Golding got out and
fatally shot himself in the head. Police found $4 million in duffel bags in
the trunk, which was distributed to Kansas lawenforcement agencies, which
also helped in the investigation.