B.C. seeks to seize $12,000 from Kelowna woman over drug trafficking
Civil forfeiture lawsuit alleges the money and found substances — including psilocybin and cannabis — are proceeds of unlawful activity.
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The B.C. government is asking the Supreme Court to allow it to keep $12,375.50 seized from a Kelowna woman, alleging the money was obtained through drug trafficking.
Police discovered the cash in a warehouse on January 1 while investigating a break and enter. They returned the next day with a search warrant and found the money — unstacked in a way that differs from typical bank packaging — along with 5,270 grams of psilocybin (magic mushrooms), some packaged for sale, and 154 bags of psilocybin edibles. Officers also seized 236 bags of cannabis edibles, 97 vials of cannabis concentrate, 55 rolled cannabis cigarettes, and 716 cartons of unstamped tobacco products.
B.C.'s civil forfeiture director alleges that Penny Marie Walch obtained the money through unlawful possession and trafficking of controlled substances, as well as possession and sale of untaxed tobacco. The lawsuit states the money is proceeds and an instrument of unlawful activity, and if released, would likely be used for further illegal activity.
Walch challenged the administrative seizure, forcing the matter into court. The forfeiture director alleges violations of five separate laws — two regulating illegal drugs and cannabis sales, three governing tobacco.
