THE STUFF OF DREAMS

Police yesterday unveiled the millionaire toys of a Surrey man alleged to
have smuggled bundles of marijuana by private plane from Langley into the
United States.

Standing beside a 1999 Porsche, a gleaming 1992 Softtail Harley Davidson
and a limited-edition Isuzu Trooper, Surrey RCMP Cpl. Janice Armstrong
offered proof that while crime may not pay, it can allegedly fulfil
short-term fantasies.

The squad's Proceeds of Crime Unit seized all three vehicles from Glen
Cuthbert Finch, together with the 52-year-old's home, more than $50,000 in
cash and the contents of his home - estimated at more than $1 million.

"We've got ATVs, we've got wine collections. We've seized his plane, we've
seized his Porsche," said Armstrong. "To our knowledge, he has no
occupation. And certainly nothing that would support this lifestyle.
There's no way that the money he purported to earn last year could have
supported these assets."

Police arrested Finch last month after receiving information in October
pointing to his alleged involvement in marijuana smuggling. RCMP worked
with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency before busting Finch at a Langley
airplane hangar while he was allegedly loading about 15 kilograms of pot on
to his plane - which was also seized.

Last week, Finch posted $300,000 bail and agreed to conditions including
surrender of his learner's pilot licence. His surety for the money was
Shelley Quesnel, the woman named as owner of the Surrey house where Finch
lives.

Reached at his home yesterday afternoon, Finch declined comment, asking
people to wait until the case has been through the courts and "the dust
settles" to draw conclusions.

"It's kind of ridiculous, they've blown this way out of proportion," he
said. "As far as we know, none of this stuff is seized."

Armstrong said police placed restraining orders preventing sale of Finch's
liquid assets before the courts deal with the charges - possession of drugs
for the purpose of trafficking and possession for the purpose of
exportation from Canada. Police must prove goods were obtained through
proceeds of crime before they become property of the state.