More forfeited gangster vehicles to end up in hands of police

The provincial government is making a program that sees gangster’s vehicles turned over to police forces permanent.

The vehicles are seized under the Civil Forfeiture Act. The province says that by allowing police forces to use the vehicles, they can help get the message out that gang life is dangerous.

Proposals are now being accepted from police forces across B.C. to use the vehicles for two years. Police forces are responsible for insurance, maintenance and any graphic treatment of the vehicle’s exterior.

After the two years are up, the vehicle can be returned to the Civil Forfeiture Office or purchased by the force.

Three former gangster-owned vehicles are already in use by police forces around B.C.; a Nissan 350z sports car by the Kelowna RCMP; a BMW SUV by the CFSEU-BC; and a Hummer by the Abbotsford Police.

Over the past eight years of the civil forfeiture program, approximately 250 vehicles have been forfeited, most with links to drugs, gangs or organized crime.