A known member of the United Nations gang has been convicted for possessing the Proceeds of Crime after being caught with more than $600,000 in cash, along with a handgun, in a routine traffic stop.
Michael Keily was pulled over during a traffic blitz in Clearwater, B.C., in March 2007.
After displaying "suspicious behaviour," the 22-year-old was detained for investigation.
Aided by a sniffer dog, police found $528,000 in Canadian cash, as well as $90,000 American and a 9mm handgun, inside a hidden compartment in his 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible.
Clearwater RCMP called in the RCMP Federal Integrated Proceeds of Crime unit, who determined the cash was proceeds of crime through its Currency Recording and Tracing System (CRATS) services.
Keily was convicted on May 12 to 18 months in jail and 24 months probation. Both the cash and convertible were forfeited to Crown.
Seizures of this nature hit criminals in the pocketbook, according to Inspector Wade Lymburner, the officer in charge of the RCMP Federal Integrated Proceeds of Crime in B.C.
"If you choose the lifestyle of gangs and engage in organized crime, any assets gained through your criminal activity are subject for seizure and forfeiture through proceeds of crime and it will be taken from you in all instances possible," Lymburner said.
"It doesn't belong to you and we will strive to hit where it hurts."
