DRUG SMUGGLER'S HOUSE TO BE AUCTIONED

The Million-dollar Home, Seized After Its Owner's Imprisonment, Goes On The
Block Friday When The Bidding Begins.

It's not your typical way of buying a house in Santa Barbara.

But for those in search of a deal, it'll work.

More than 50 people attended the Tuesday open house of a million-dollar
house on Conejo Road that was seized by the U.S. Department of Treasury
because it had been bought with money earned from drug sales.

The house's former owner, Daniel Wesley Allen, is serving a 17-year
sentence in federal prison for smuggling more than 600 pounds of cocaine
from Mexico to Ventura County.

In August 1998, U.S. Customs agents detected a twin-engine Cessna flying on
a drug-running route from Mexico. For nearly two hours, the aircraft led
the agents across Southern California.

The chase ended when Allen ran out of fuel and was forced to land his plane
at Santa Paula Airport. Agents searched the plane and found the cocaine,
then arrested Allen. The case turned out to be the largest drug bust in the
history of Ventura County.

Authorities say Allen admitted to smuggling marijuana and cocaine from
Mexico into California for almost 25 years. They believe the Conejo Road
house was purchased with profits from that business.

Those interested in buying the five-bedroom house that sits on three prime
acres may bid Friday if they come with a $50,000 check in hand.

The house, valued at $1 million, has dramatic views of the surrounding
hillsides and valley, two wrap-around decks, a newly remodeled kitchen with
custom cabinets, a three-car garage and guest house.

Registration for the auction begins at 10 a.m. For more information, call a
public auction line at (703) 273-7373 or visit the Treasury Department's
Web site at www.treas.gov/auctionsustoms.