/ 10 November 1999

HOUSE SEIZED UNDER AMENDED ACT

THE Asset Forfeiture Unit on Tuesday seized the first property since the Prevention of Organised Crime Act was amended. The property, an alleged drug house in Facreton on the Cape Flats, was swooped upon by the the unit after it presented the Cape High Court with information gathered in conjunction with the Community Policing Forum. Police apparently have staged numerous raids on the house, but even though drugs were seized and gang members prosecuted, the dealing continued. The unit has 90 days to apply to the Cape High Court for the forfeiture of the property to the state. Hofmeyer said that landlords who wittingly let their properties be used for illegal activities could lose their property to the state.