Pubdate: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 Source: Belfast Telegraph (UK) Copyright: 2000 Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Ltd. Contact: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ Author: Darwin Templeton SEIZED CASH CAN BATTLE DRUGS, SAYS RUC RUC chiefs want to fund the fight against drugs with cash seized from high-living dealers. Senior officers are pressing for new laws to give them money raised when the pushers' property like houses and cars are sold. They have calculated that the move would give the campaign against the drugs trade in the province a multi-million pound boost. Drugs Squad chief Detective Superintendent Judith Gillespie has been supporting the plan for a confiscated assets fund at top-level meetings with the Northern Ireland Office. At present, assets seized from convicted dealers - and other criminals - under the Proceeds of Crime Act are sent to the Treasury. A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: "The idea is under active consideration." - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck