Civil Forfeiture
Civil forfeiture is designed to take the profit out of crime
Crime shouldn’t pay. Strong civil forfeiture laws make it harder for people who profit from organized crime and money-laundering to operate.
Nova Scotia’s Civil Forfeiture Act allows for property that was gained through crime or being used to commit a crime to be seized. Under the law, the Director of Civil Forfeiture can initiate a civil process through the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia for the forfeiture of assets acquired through unlawful activities or used to engage in unlawful activity.
Cases are referred to the Director of Civil Forfeiture by law enforcement and provincial agencies. A civil proceeding is then started against the property and does not rely on a finding of criminal prosecution.
Examples include:
- cash resulting from the sale of illegal drugs or tobacco
- vehicles used to transport illegal drugs or restricted/prohibited firearms
- goods such as jewellery purchased with the proceeds of criminal activities
- buildings used to house illegal cannabis dispensaries
Civil forfeiture laws help victims
When property is forfeited to the province, it is liquated and then the funds are used to support crime prevention initiatives, victims of crime and training that supports safer communities.
Learn more about the Civil Forfeiture Grant Program.
How administrative forfeiture works
The Civil Forfeiture Act allows the Director of Civil Forfeiture to seek forfeiture of personal property valued at $125,000 or less through an administrative process without court involvement. The process cannot be used to seek forfeiture of real property (land and buildings). Property interest holders have the right to dispute forfeiture.
Dispute an administrative forfeiture proceeding
The director is required to provide written notice to all known interest holders and to the person from whom the property was seized.
Notices of administrative forfeiture proceedings are typically issued by letter mailed to the last known address of the interest holder. The director will also publish public notices on this website.
Interest holders in the property have the opportunity to dispute administrative forfeiture by submitting a Notice of Dispute (PDF). The form must include a solemn declaration under oath before a person authorized to administer both affidavits and statutory declarations.
The Notice of Dispute must be received by the director on or before the deadline date that was included in the letter and posted online. Submit the Notice of Dispute to: Director of Civil Forfeiture, PO Box 7, Halifax, NS B3J 1T0
Public notices of administrative proceedings
Public Notice of Administrative Forfeiture Proceedings (PDF)
Personal notices of administrative proceedings
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Document
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Posted Date
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Deadline to Dispute
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Al-Rikabi, Mustafa (PDF)
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9 October 2026
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23 November 2026
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Arseneau, James (PDF)
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9 October 2026
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23 November 2026
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Battiste, Shelden (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Bell Mobility Inc (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Bhalla, Tushar (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Boudaher, Jean (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Brooks, Carson William (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Comeau-Martell, Troy (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Cromwell, Dante Warnell (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Downey-Thomas, Jahquan Stuart (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Golwala, Nevil (Pure Smoke Only Inc) (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Grandy, Nakell (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Harris, Tyler Harold Douglas (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Hurst, Aliya (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
John's Office Furniture (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Kent, Ashley (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Leach, David (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Ledwidge, James Kyle (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Martin, Juanita (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Mattinson, Carman (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
McIssac, Rick (Richard) (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Melanson, Mark (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Miller, Nathaniel (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Organ, Wiliam (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Osmond, Dameion (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
R & J Furniture Ltd (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Simmonds, Matteo (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
TD Auto Finance (Canada) Inc (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Thomas, Arthur Douglas (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Ward, Cody (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Willigar, Bobbi (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
Wilson, Estate of Steven Matthew (PDF) |
9 October 2026 |
23 November 2026 |
