IT'S A FIRST -- BAIL MONEY SEIZED UNDER DRUG LAWS

EVERETT - Authorities seized $10,000 in bail money in a drug case in
what officials say is a first for them.

Although it is fairly routine for authorities to seize the cars,
homes, boats and bank accounts of suspected drug dealers, going after
bail money is something new.

"I think this is the only time we've done this," Snohomish County
Deputy Prosecutor Ed Stemler said.

Everett police and county prosecutors Tuesday obtained a judge's
permission to seize the cash under drug forfeiture laws. They believe
the $10,000 is a "bail stash," or money set aside to quickly spring
suspects from jail, court papers show.

The seizure arose when a Seattle man showed up at the Snohomish County
Jail early this month to post bail for a friend who had been arrested
after a traffic accident. His arrest led to the discovery of 13 ounces
of cocaine hidden under the dashboard of his car.

The Seattle man pulled out a roll of $100 bills and paid his friend's
$10,000 bail.

Investigation by Everett police showed the Seattle man and the
arrested man shared a home, and that a relative of the man who posted
bail was arrested last year in Seattle for suspected cocaine
trafficking, according to court papers.

Financial records, meanwhile, show the Seattle man last year reported
only about $15,000 in net income, reportedly by working at adult care
facilities, court documents show.

Police moved to seize the $10,000 bail money because charges weren't
immediately filed against the man who was arrested with cocaine
allegedly in his car. Under state law, if charges aren't filed within
2 hours, bail must be returned.

Seizing the money had no effect on anyone's freedom because the
suspect was already out of jail, and police still must win a civil
forfeiture case before they can lay legal claim to the money, Stemler
said.

The money is being held in a special city trust account.