Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
A judge has ordered a man to surrender two of three Vancouver properties that were used for marijuana grow operations.
Even though Sarban Singh Rai did not know there were grow-ops in the houses he rented out, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Arne Silverman concluded that Rai was "wilfully blind" and received proceeds of illegal activity.
Rai's trial was the first conducted in B.C. conducted under the Civil Forfeiture Act. Rai owned three houses on Boundary Road. When police searched the houses in May 2008 they found major modifications to all three and a total of 2,254 plants in varying stages of development, worth up to $507,000.
Rai was never charged -or contacted by police -in connection with the grow-ops.
The director of civil forfeiture sought either whole or partial forfeiture of the properties.
Rai is a longshoreman and property developer who for portions of the period between 2003 and 2008 owned and rented out 12 properties.
He claimed he had no prior knowledge of the operations and never inspected the properties, nor did he know the names of his tenants.
Silverman agreed that Rai had no personal or direct involvement in the grow operations; however, he said that Rai was an experienced landlord who knew what steps needed to be taken when renting to tenants.
He concluded that Rai was likely suspicious of what was happening but deliberately did not make inquiries so he could remain ignorant.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: theprovince.com
Author: Jennifer Saltman
Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: Contact Us - The Province
Website: Landlord told to forfeit houses
Even though Sarban Singh Rai did not know there were grow-ops in the houses he rented out, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Arne Silverman concluded that Rai was "wilfully blind" and received proceeds of illegal activity.
Rai's trial was the first conducted in B.C. conducted under the Civil Forfeiture Act. Rai owned three houses on Boundary Road. When police searched the houses in May 2008 they found major modifications to all three and a total of 2,254 plants in varying stages of development, worth up to $507,000.
Rai was never charged -or contacted by police -in connection with the grow-ops.
The director of civil forfeiture sought either whole or partial forfeiture of the properties.
Rai is a longshoreman and property developer who for portions of the period between 2003 and 2008 owned and rented out 12 properties.
He claimed he had no prior knowledge of the operations and never inspected the properties, nor did he know the names of his tenants.
Silverman agreed that Rai had no personal or direct involvement in the grow operations; however, he said that Rai was an experienced landlord who knew what steps needed to be taken when renting to tenants.
He concluded that Rai was likely suspicious of what was happening but deliberately did not make inquiries so he could remain ignorant.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: theprovince.com
Author: Jennifer Saltman
Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: Contact Us - The Province
Website: Landlord told to forfeit houses
