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Ministry of the Attorney General Ministère du Procureur général PDF Version

For Immediate Release
August 1, 2006



ILLICIT CASH SEIZED UNDER CIVIL FORFEITURE LAW IN THUNDER BAY


Almost A Quarter Of A Million Dollars Forfeited As Proceeds Of Unlawful Activities

THUNDER BAY — Almost a quarter of a million dollars seized as illicit cash has been forfeited to the Crown under the Remedies for Organized Crime and Other Unlawful Activities Act (Civil Remedies Act) in the Thunder Bay area, Attorney General Michael Bryant, Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Robert Herman and OPP Chief Superintendent Mike Armstrong announced today.

“A total of $227,821 seized as illicit cash has been forfeited as proceeds of unlawful activity as a result of eight separate forfeiture cases over the past three years,” said Bryant. “The message is loud and clear. We will seek forfeiture of unlawful proceeds to assist victims of crime and prevent people from keeping those proceeds.”

Seven of the cases involved money found during motor vehicle searches on Highway 17. Police officers were confronted with suspicious circumstances when large amounts of bundled cash were found in vehicles during traffic stops. In the eighth case, a large amount of cash was found during a house search.

“The Tri-Force Drug Unit, which consists of the Thunder Bay Police, OPP and the RCMP is pleased to have worked with the Attorney General on these forfeitures. We will continue to work with the Attorney General on future forfeiture cases involving proceeds of unlawful activities discovered in our area,” said Herman.

“Through the Civil Remedies Act, this money has been taken out of the hands of people who acquire assets through unlawful activity,” said Armstrong. “We will continue to bring forward cases, where appropriate, to go after unlawful proceeds.”

Highway 17 is the only east-west highway between Ontario and British Columbia, and according to experienced drug enforcement officers, money and drugs are frequently being transported through the Thunder Bay area.

The Civil Remedies Act authorizes the Attorney General to ask civil courts to freeze, seize and forfeit the proceeds and instruments of unlawful activity to the Crown. Civil asset forfeiture focuses solely on the connection between property and unlawful activity and is not dependant on any criminal charges or convictions. The legislation acts to prevent people from keeping assets acquired through unlawful activity and to prevent assets and property from continuing to be used in unlawful activities.

In Ontario, the proceeds of unlawful activity including fraud, Internet and telemarketing scams, drug trafficking, and marijuana grow operations could be subject to the Civil Remedies Act. Forfeited assets are liquidated and deposited into a special purpose account. The act enables direct victims, the Crown, municipal corporations and prescribed public bodies to submit a claim for compensation or cost recovery against the forfeited assets. Remaining funds may be disbursed for grants to assist victims of unlawful activity or prevent victimization.


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Contacts:
Valerie Hopper
Communications Branch
(416) 326-2202


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