FORFEITURE TO AID NARCOTICS BUREAU

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics will reap the benefits of suspected drug
proceeds.

A Grady County district judge Thursday ordered the forfeiture of $122,210
seized in an August 1997 traffic stop.

Agents of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control and
the federal Drug Enforcement Administration seized the money after they
found it hidden in two vehicles on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike south of
Newcastle.

Agents stopped the cars after they learned about a shipment of money being
transported to Mexico as payment for drugs already distributed in the
Oklahoma City area.

The driver of one of the cars never filed a claim to the $34,000 agents
seized from his vehicle, so a court order awarded the money to the state.

The second driver failed to appear at a jury trial Thursday for the
remaining $88,210.

Grady County District Judge Richard Van Dyke entered a default judgment
against him and awarded the remaining money to the Oklahoma Bureau of
Narcotics.

Checked-by: Richard Lake