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Ministry of the Attorney General Ministère du Procureur général PDF Version

Text Only Version

For Immediate Release
March 28, 2006



HAMILTON CRACK HOUSE GONE FOR GOOD



HAMILTON — A notorious Hamilton crack house and a $10,000 bank account associated with it have been forfeited to the Crown as instruments and proceeds of unlawful activity under the Remedies for Organized Crime and Other Unlawful Activities Act (Civil Remedies Act), Attorney General Michael Bryant announced today.

AG Removing Sign

"This blight on downtown Hamilton has been shut down for good," said Bryant. "Three weeks ago, the court granted the Crown temporary control of 193 King Street East. Today, I am pleased to announce that the court has ordered the forfeiture of the building, along with a bank account containing approximately $10,000."

On March 7, 2006, the property was frozen under provincial civil asset forfeiture legislation, and the Crown took temporary control pending the outcome of forfeiture proceedings. The property has been the location of two crack cocaine related murders, stabbings and numerous drug charges over the years. On March 28, the court ordered forfeiture.

AG Talking

"This is a great day for the people of Hamilton and for the police," said Hamilton Police Chief Brian Mullan. "The closure of 193 King Street East has already had a positive impact on the downtown core. This forfeiture will ensure that unlawful activities at one of the city’s worst addresses will be permanently stopped."

The Crown will consider all options for the future of the building, and will engage the city of Hamilton and the local business improvement association to seek their ideas and preferences. The building remains under close security and an asset manager is conducting an assessment.

The Civil Remedies Act authorizes the Attorney General to ask civil courts to freeze, seize and forfeit the proceeds of unlawful activity to the Crown. The act also allows the Attorney General to seek damages on behalf of the public by taking people to court who allegedly conspire to engage in unlawful activity likely to cause injury to the public.

"I am very pleased to have been able to have this property forfeited to the Crown, and prevent it from being used for unlawful activity," said Bryant.


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Contacts:
Brendan Crawley
Communications Branch
(416) 326-2210


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