Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Kim Bolan Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) COURT FREEZES SALE OF HOME ONCE OWNED BY DRUG SMUGGLER Custom-Built Residence 160 Km East of Kamloops Is Valued at $1.75 Million A Shuswap realtor hired to sell the house once owned by a convicted drug smuggler who is facing new charges may lose the lucrative $1.75-million listing. Century 21 agent Kellie Pittman confirmed Wednesday that she has been contacted by a federal government official advising her of a court order preventing the sale of the luxury residence in Malakwa, B.C. Colin Hugh Martin and his common-law wife Jennifer Cahill are both facing charges of production of a controlled substance and trafficking. They were arrested last July after a massive police raid at their home at 3621 Northway Road in Malakwa, which is about 160 kilometres east of Kamloops. Pittman said she was hired to sell the house by its current owner, Steve Ambrose, president of the numbered company, 311165 B.C., which is listed on the land title for the custom-built house. "I was working with the seller. I had no contact with Jennifer or her boyfriend or whoever that is. They are the renters. The renters only," Pittman said. But she was unaware until the government contacted her that a court order was issued on Oct. 22, 2010, prohibiting the sale of the six-acre property after an application by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and the RCMP's Integrated Proceeds of Crime section. Cahill, Martin, 311165 B.C. and Ambrose were all supposed to be served with copies of the order. Pittman said the house is still listed, until "I do my due diligence first and find out more information." Cahill, who is out on bail, was once the registered owner of the home, but the Land Title office lists Ambrose's company as the owner since 2005. A decision on whether Martin will be released on bail on his new charges is expected today. Martin also was indicted in Washington state in December 2009 on charges he conspired with others to import large amounts of marijuana and ecstasy into the U.S. and to smuggle cocaine back into Canada using helicopters. The U.S. alleges Martin headed the drug gang and leased the helicopters that were used. He was also convicted in 2006 on eight counts including conspiracy to export and traffic marijuana and money laundering related to a massive cross-border smuggling ring operating in the late '90s. He represented himself at trial after losing legal aid because, as a court ruling noted, "the Crown advised the court that there was an issue regarding the appropriateness of continued funding, as Mr. Martin's spouse was building a home valued in excess of $700,000." Martin lost his appeal last November. He was ordered released on day parole in December, despite the new charges in both countries, because the Parole Board of Canada ruled, "there are no reasonable grounds to believe that, if released, you are likely to commit an offence involving violence before the expiration of your sentence. "The board has concerns about your poor attitude to illicit drug production and sale and your part in the inherent violence has to be taken into account," board member Gordon McRae wrote in the Dec. 23, 2010 ruling. "The concern is not supported by tying you to direct acts of violence. "You are apparently facing new charges, but these do not indicate violence was present." The house in which Martin has been living is described in the real estate listing as "custom-built to perfection" with over 6,600 sq. ft. "on 6.25 acres at the base of Queest Mountain where the deep powder snow extends the sledding season well into the spring." "There is a second residence on the property which is under construction," the ad says. "Finish it into a snowmobilers/ skiers/hunting B&B resort." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom