Pubdate: Fri, 01 Mar 2002
Source: Courier-Journal, The (KY)
Copyright: 2002 The Courier-Journal
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/97
Author: Shannon Tangonan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

POLICE RECEIVE $386,526 IN DRUG-MONEY SEIZURE

U.S. Attorney Gives Department Share of 2001 Forfeiture

The Louisville police department received a check for $386,526 yesterday -- 
its share of drug money seized during a search last April that turned up 
large amounts of marijuana and cocaine.

Stephen B. Pence, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, 
presented the money. He thanked city officers for their work in the 
investigation, which resulted in two arrests.

The department's 4th District Flex Platoon got a tip that a man was selling 
large amounts of powder cocaine in the Louisville area, said Detective Bill 
Keeling, a Louisville police spokesman.

The investigation culminated in a search of a home on Hillwood Drive in 
Jefferson County last April, in which police confiscated $484,000 in cash, 
marijuana and various tools used to package and sell drugs, Keeling said.

Three kilograms of powder and rock cocaine also were seized, authorities said.

Fred Lee and his girlfriend, Yolanda McElroy, are awaiting sentencing in 
federal court after pleading guilty to cocaine trafficking, Keeling said.

Deputy Chief Bridget Skaggs said the department has not decided how it will 
spend the money.

State law requires that such funds be used for law-enforcement purposes 
such as equipment or training.
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