Pubdate: Thu, 5 Jan 2006
Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.aldergrovestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989
Author: Monique Tamminga
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

'Drug Tunnel' Home for Sale

For $599,900, you could own the rural Aldergrove  property that once
housed a drug tunnel allegedly used  to smuggle "B.C. Bud" across the
U.S. border.

Royal LePage's Paola Oliviero has listed the 3.79-acre  parcel which
features the notorious quonset hut that  the tunnel was built from.
All offers for the property  are subject to court approval, said Oliviero.

The listing information, found on Multiple LIsting  Services and her
website, doesn't mention that the  property at 26717 - 0 Avenue, was
the subject of a huge  American/Canadian investigation in July. Three
Surrey  men were arrested by American authorities as they  emerged
from the tunnel on the U.S. side in July 2005.  The men were allegedly
carrying 200 pounds of B.C. Bud.

"Most people interested in the listing know about it.  But I always
tell them about the property's history,"  said Oliviero.

The property's notoriety doesn't deter potential  buyers, she said.
"There's serious interest from local  people. We don't have an offer
yet but it will sell.  It's a prime piece of property in a hot
market," she  said.

The investigation into the tunnel started in Canada in  February 2005,
when authorities were tipped off that a  group of known suspects were
planning to build a  tunnel.

The tunnel was dug by hand over eight months and  stretched underneath
0 Avenue to the floor of a farm  house in Washington state.

After the bust, the Township sealed the Canadian side  of the tunnel
with cement and foam at a cost of $35,000  to taxpayers. It's hoping
to recover those costs.

Francis Davandra Raj is the listed owner of the  Canadian property. He
is one of three Surrey men  charged with conspiracy to distribute and
import  marijuana. They are currently in custody in Washington.  The
property was foreclosed by Olympia Trust Co. of  Vancouver.

If an offer comes in, it is held in trust and then that  offer goes to
court, Oliviero explains.

Interested buyers can still make a sealed bid once it's  in the
judge's hands.

Once the property is sold people are paid out in order  of priority.
The mortgage is paid first, then taxes are  paid on the property and
any arrears, which is where  the Township could recoup its money. Then
lawyers and  realtors are paid.

The Raj family is also looking to be reimbursed for  money they loaned
the accused to buy the place.

The property has a small farm house, with approximately  40,000 square
feet of greenhouse plus a workshop and  outbuildings, according to the
listing.
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