Province alleges Kelowna auto shop a drug trafficking front

A Kelowna auto shop doesn't host "any legitimate business" and operates as a front for drug suppliers, according to the BC Civil Forfeiture Office. The civil forfeiture office wants to seize the shop and all proceeds of crime that have come from it after police seized drugs and thousands in cash last winter. All Out Customs and Collision Ltd., owned by married couple Richard and Tania Madore, is merely a shell, according to a lawsuit filed in BC Supreme Court to take over their properties. Neither have been charged criminally, but Richard Kelly Madore was one target in a months-long Kelowna investigation led by the province's gang squad, according to court documents. READ MORE: 'Deceitful conduct:' Kelowna couple to pay $500K after duping dollar store buyer https://infotel.ca/newsitem/deceitful-conduct-kelowna-couple-to-pay-500k-after-duping-dollar-store-buyer/it107153 The scale of that BC Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit investigation, which started in February 2023, isn't known. It's also not known when Madore landed on the investigators' radar, but he was seen hosting short meetings at the auto shop property multiple times in September and November. The meetings were "consistent with drug trafficking," according to court documents. Investigators then searched the shop at unit 102, 460 Neave Court, leaving with cocaine, MDMA, Xanax, cannabis, psilocybin, accounting documents, weigh scales and more than $17,000 in cash. Richard Madore was arrested that day, according to civil court documents. The civil forfeiture office, which pursues property and money either used or obtained through illegal activity, wants to seize the auto shop, all proceeds of activity at the shop and the Madores' home in East Kelowna. Though they haven't been charged recently, Richard Madore was believed to be a "high-level trafficker" of cannabis at least 14 years ago. Kelowna RCMP accidentally happened upon what appeared to be a drug deal on a logging road in 2010, according to a 2012 court decision. READ MORE: Regulator warns unlicenced women touting midwife services in Kelowna, Salmon Arm https://infotel.ca/newsitem/regulator-warns-unlicenced-women-touting-midwife-services-in-kelowna-salmon-arm/it107159 They spotted Madore and another man while working on another investigation. They didn't know the other man, but they were familiar with Madore as a suspected trafficker already. Both were arrested and police found more than $100,000 in a vehicle and 20 kilograms of cannabis. Madore successfully appealed his conviction in 2012, reducing his charge to "simple possession." According to online court records, he hasn't faced criminal charges again since. The 2,800-square-foot All Out Customs property was listed for sale by Chamberlain Property Group just over two weeks ago with an $869,000 asking price. It's described as a "custom automotive shop" with living quarters, a kitchenette and a gym, adding that the "man cave" areas can be converted to office space. Both Richard and Tania Madore hold interests in the business, its property and their East Kelowna home. They bought the home in 2004 and, according to online real estate database Redfin, it was sold for $730,000 at the time. BC Assessment now values the property at more than $2 million. They hold mortgages on both properties and the civil forfeiture office asked the court to protect the bank's interests. The Madores have yet to respond and none of the allegations have been proven in court. To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry mailto:llandry@infonews.ca  or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .