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The Director of Civil Forfeiture is claiming that a sport utility vehicle and cash the RCMP seized from a Prince George man are the proceeds of crime and should be surrendered to the province.
In a B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit filed Tuesday, Dec. 3 in Victoria, the director seeks the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited registered to Scott William Loutit and $8,490 in cash found in Loutit’s clothes and sport utility vehicle on Aug. 9. Loutit was convicted five months earlier in B.C. Supreme Court of drug and gun offences.
The notice of civil claim, filed by lawyer Ephraim Welle, alleges that the vehicle was parked outside the Knights Inn at 650 Dominion St. in Prince George, in “an area known to the RCMP for trafficking in controlled substances.”
The vehicle was driven away from the area at approximately 30 kilometres per hour over the posted speed limit and made two lane changes without signalling, according to the claim. Officers pulled the vehicle over and found Loutit behind the driver’s wheel with one passenger. They arrested Loutit.
“Loutit had $3,065 in Canadian currency sticking out of his pocket in plain view consistent with trafficking controlled substances, making up a portion of the money,” stated the court document.
Police searched the vehicle and found 211.89 grams of methamphetamine in a large plastic bag in the middle console, another $5,425 in Canadian cash and drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale with suspected drug residue.
“The money was bundled or packaged in a manner not consistent with standard banking practices,” stated the court document.
The Director of Civil Forfeiture’s notice said Loutit filed a claim on Nov. 6 for the return of the money and vehicle by way of a Notice of Dispute to Administrative Forfeiture Proceedings.
The director alleges Loutit engaged in possession and trafficking of controlled substances, possession and laundering of the proceeds of crime and failure to declare taxable income.
“Scott Loutit obtained the money and the vehicle by participating in the unlawful activity,” the document said. “Loutit intended to use the money and the vehicle to engage in the unlawful activity. If the money and vehicle are released to Loutit, they will likely be used for the unlawful activity.”
None of the allegations has been proven in court and Loutit has yet to file a response.
On March 11 in B.C. Supreme Court in Prince George, Justice Sandra Wilkinson found Loutit guilty as charged of three counts: storing firearms carelessly, possession of a loaded restricted firearm and possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it.
In March 2019, police found $280,000 to $360,000 worth of marijuana at Loutit’s residence, $500,000 in bundled cash, four shotguns, a semi-automatic rifle, a pistol and a revolver.
On Aug. 30, Wilkinson dismissed Loutit’s application to stay the charges. Loutit’s lawyer unsuccessfully claimed his right to a trial within a reasonable time had been breached.
”}]] Court files to claim his Grand Cherokee and the $8,490 found when he was arrested Read More
