KELOWNA – The Director of Civil Forfeiture is suing an Okanagan man trying to seize valuables it claims are connected to criminal activity.
In December 2013, Quentin Michael James was arrested at a Kelowna postal outlet after he allegedly tried to mail three ounces of cocaine to an Alberta address.
Afterwards, police searched James’ residence as well as storage lockers and safety deposit boxes.
Officers seized cocaine, ecstasy, magic mushrooms, marijuana, ammunition, brass knuckles, jewellery, two Kingpin Crew motorcycle club vests and $99,690 in cash.
They also confiscated James’ 2004 Ford F350 pickup truck claiming it was used to engage in illegal activity including drug trafficking.
The Civil Forfeiture Director is seeking the permanent forfeiture to the provincial government of the truck, five watches, a bracelet, two gold rings and a Breitling time piece.
The estimated value of the jewellery is $55,000.
In legal filings, the Director claims “all or some portion of the defendant’s interest in the Vehicle and Jewellery is proceeds of unlawful activity because it was acquired, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from trafficking illegal drugs or other unlawful activity.”
In his court filed response James denies those allegations, stating that “at all times, he had sufficient legitimately obtained income to purchase and maintain the Vehicle and Jewellery and that they were not acquired with the proceeds from criminal activity.”
James also denies the F350 was used in the commission of criminal activity.
He was a member of the now disbanded Kingpin Crew which RCMP said was a puppet club of the Kelowna chapter of the Hells Angels.
James is currently awaiting trial in B.C. Supreme Court on five drug charges and three weapons offenses.
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