House Seized Under Drug Forfeiture Laws

A house described as “the worst drug location” in territory patrolled by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division was seized by local and federal authorities Wednesday under federal narcotic asset-forfeiture laws.

The three-bedroom stucco building in the 5900 block of Carlin Street, in the Adams-La Brea area, “is now the property of the U.S. government,” said Deputy City Atty. Mike Qualls. Owner Izella Williams, 60, will be allowed to continue living there with her family until the seizure process is completed and the house--valued at $115,000 to $130,000--is sold, Qualls said. Proceeds from the sale will be divided among various government agencies.

The house was seized, Qualls said, because Williams and her relatives used it to engage in a pattern of illegal narcotics activity and have been arrested there numerous times, Qualls said. The location was the scene of two drive-by shootings last year. In 1989, Qualls said, a child died there of drug poisoning.