SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO AUCTION OFF 12 CLASSIC CARS FROM DRUG BUSTS

The maroon finish of the 1968 Ford Mustang California Special
convertible is buffed and the black leather interior polished. Its
engine is being tuned, its battery replaced, and the black rag top is
in mint condition.

From its looks, the owner took extra care of the vintage car and maybe
used it only for show. But the classic Mustang can't be found sitting
on blocks in a garage or on a showroom floor.

In a dusty warehouse off Jessie Street, the Jacksonville Sheriff's
Office is storing the vehicle until it can be sold. It's one of 12
classic cars that combined are worth at least $150,000 and will be
auctioned July 28 in the parking lot of Alltel Stadium.

Never before have Jacksonville police auctioned this many antique cars
at once.

The Sheriff's Office acquired the beauties under the Florida
forfeiture law. Each one belonged to a convicted drug dealer who used
money from sales to buy the classics. A judge has since awarded the
cars to the city, and now anyone who wants to pay the price has a
chance to buy the Mustang or the others sitting beside it:

A dark red 1969 Chevrolet Impala convertible; a champagne 1954
Chevrolet pickup; a 1968 red Pontiac Firebird convertible; a black
1963 Chevrolet Corvette convertible with a hard top; an orange 1973
Ford Mustang convertible; a tan 1964 Buick Electra convertible; a 1972
forest green Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible; a black 1950 Jeep; a red
1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible; an orange 1972 Chevrolet pickup;
and a dark red 1968 Chevrolet Impala.

The Sheriff's Office also is selling a few personal watercraft and a
1994 28-foot Bayliner.

Brian Murphy, a Sheriff's Office organized crime detective, said the
cars were confiscated in drug busts during the past year. Ten of the
cars, the personal watercraft and boat came from one person selling
illegal drugs, though police wouldn't release his name.

The auction is simple. Potential buyers can view the vehicles between
9 and 10 a.m. July 28. The bidding will begin at 10 a.m., and the cars
will be sold to the highest bidder. But there is a non-refundable $300
down payment and buyers have until 2 p.m. that day to come up with the
rest of the money to be paid in cash or with cashier's checks. All the
cars are sold as is and carry no warranty, Murphy said.

The profits from the cars, boat and personal watercraft will go into a
law enforcement trust fund. That money is used for special
investigations or equipment, not for salaries or incentives.

"We use criminals' money to help fight criminals," Murphy
said.

The Sheriff's Office has been auctioning forfeited cars for more than
10 years, the detective said. Antique cars have been sold in the past,
but not this many at once.

"It comes in spurts," he said. "Sometimes we get a bunch of
junk."

Tim Kult, an Auto Trader sales manager, said he was surprised when he
heard of the number of cars that were forfeited. Some of the cars are
in good condition, especially the 1968 Mustang.

"It's real sweet," he said.