Pubdate: Sun, 23 Oct 2005
Source: Tri-City News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005, Tri-City News
Contact:  http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239

CRIME PROCEEDS TARGETED

The B.C. government has introduced legislation to help ensure crime 
doesn't pay.

Solicitor General John Les says the primary target of Bill 13, the 
Civil Forfeiture Act, is criminal gangs.

"Grow ops, credit card fraud, telemarketing scams - these kinds of 
things are often run by organized criminals who launder their profits 
through business, real estate and other investments," Les said. "The 
Civil Forfeiture Act gives us the power to take criminals to court 
and seize any asset acquired with the proceeds of illegal activity."

Money recovered will be paid into a special account and used to 
compensate crime victims, fund crime prevention programs, and pay for 
the costs of administering the act, Les said.

B.C. is the fifth Canadian province to introduce civil forfeiture 
legislation. It has already been enacted in Alberta, Saskatchewan, 
Manitoba and Ontario.
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MAP posted-by: Beth