NEW LAW TARGETS ORGANIZED CRIME

The B.C. government is hitting back at organized crime with legislation that
targets the financial assets of criminals, Solicitor General Rich Coleman
announced March 7.

"As part of our overall strategy to fight crime and enhance public safety we
need to go after assets acquired through criminal activity," said Coleman.

"The Civil Forfeiture Act will put the onus on people involved in unlawful
activity to prove that their house, car or other property was bought with
money not connected to criminal activity."

Under the new act, the government can apply to the court to seize the
ill-gotten assets of crime through the civil law process.

The recovered assets can be used for crime prevention programs, law
enforcement initiatives or to compensate victims.

A judge can order forfeiture when a person has engaged in unlawful activity
that has resulted in profit or acquisition of property.

Marijuana grow-ops, credit card fraud, identity theft, pyramid schemes,
telemarketing scams and consumer fraud are just some of the unlawful
activities carried out by organized crime groups which frequently victimize
B.C. families and businesses.

Monies recovered from the liquidation of forfeited property will be paid
into a special account, called the Civil Forfeiture Account.

Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta have civil forfeiture laws, along with the
United States, Australia, Great Britain and Ireland.