From http://www.katv.com/news/stories/1003/106661.html

Task Force Seizes House In Hot Springs
Wednesday October 15, 2003 10:28pm   Reporter: Scott Inman   Posted By:
Sandra Kirk

Hot Springs - A drug task force in Hot Springs is using a new weapon in the
war on drugs. The task force made two raids Wednesday. They didn't make any
arrests, but, they did leave their mark.

The task force is utilizing an abatement law for the first time. One that
allows them not only seize the drugs, but to seize property as well. It's a
notice to drug dealers in Hot Springs, the police are not only making drug
busts. Now, they're seizing property.

(Jerry Ashcraft, Hot Springs Police Chief) "We are tired of the drug
dealers, getting arrested, and the next day, they're right back in
business."

A drug task force, made up of Hot Springs Police, the Garland County
Sheriff's department, and the state police,  raided this house on Laser
Street. Inside, they found a little over a gram of crack cocaine, and over
two thousand dollars in cash. And outside the home, nearly a half ounce of
crack. Thirty two year old James Dawson lives in the home. but, he was not
home. Using a drug abatement law for the first time, the task force took
the money, and the drugs, and boarded up the house. Under court order,
Dawson cannot return to his home, until first appearing in court.

(Brian Albright, Asst. City Attorney) "Our goal here is to try and help the
property owners, and landlords to raise the standards of their own
property, to get tenants in here that are gonna treat the property and the
neigborhood in the right way."

Under the law, property owners or tenants must prove in court that their
possessions were not bought with drug money. It's a new weapon for the task
force, that they intend on using again to fight drug dealers.

"It's gonna move them around a little bit, but as long as we move them
around, maybe we'll move them right out of the county."

Hot Springs police say there have not been any arrests made yet, but say
there will be. 
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