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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth