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Seized Property Auction To Take Place On Saturday

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SAMPSON COUNTY — One person's poor lifestyle choices could make yours better. The state is auctioning off property seized during drug busts.

The auction is taking place 10 a.m. Saturday at the DGS warehouse on Highway 421 South in Dunn.

From boats to big-screen televisions, all the items that will be auctioned off were seized from people caught selling or possessing drugs and moonshine.

Nate Lawrence, a bidder, says it does not bother him that the merchandise used to belong to criminals.

"It doesn't bother me one bit," Lawrence says. "They were doing wrong when they were selling drugs so they have the right to lose it, and we have the right to take advantage of their misfortune."

But not all of the merchandise is the kind you would associate with high-living drug dealers.

"I'm surprised that these are family vehicles, and you just think of drug dealers driving minivans," says bidder Wendy Tyler. "It just doesn't mesh."

The state brings in $1 million a year by selling the items, but Buddy Mozingo, manager of the auction, says if you get here early and stay late, you can get some extraordinary deals.

"I would say with your older model vehicles, that are still in good shape and running condition, are good bargains that the consumer can get," Mozingo says. "Personal property itemwise, your electronics, TVs and VCRs go real cheap."

The auctions had been canceled for awhile because there was a legal challenge to the way North Carolina seized the items.

Potential bidders can preview the items at 9 a.m. Saturday. It will be an absolute auction, which means there will be very few minimum bids.

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