Surrey Six Suspect Wants Cops to Return Winnings

Surrey Six Suspect Sophon Sek (photo courtesy of Canada Press)

When the police arrested Sophon Sek just hours after his first place finish at the BC Poker Championships, he had a voucher worth $364,000 in his pocket. And while the crimes that led to his arrest had nothing to do with the poker tournament, the RCMP seized his winnings upon his arrest. And now Sek wants the money back.

As you probably know by now, Sek has been charged with break-and-enter and manslaughter, in connection with a notorious gang-related multiple-murder, commonly known as the “Surrey Six” killings. Four suspected gang members, and two innocent bystanders, were killed in an apartment in the city of Surrey, Canada in 2007.

His lawyer, Alan Ip, said that he’s eagerly awaiting word from the RCMP about the legal justification for the seizure. He asserts that since the alleged crime is unrelated to the poker tournament, and as there’s no assertion of any cheating or wrongdoing during the tournament by Sek, the police have no claim to the money.

The RCMP, meanwhile, have made no official statement about the money, other than to say they have no comment at this time. Sek is currently in custody, and is scheduled to appear in court on November 30th.