Seized jewelry up for auction in N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The North Carolina Department of Revenue said it is preparing to auction off seized items including a golden pit bull and a jewel-encrusted gorilla.

The department said the nearly 200 items, some of which have been appraised at more than $35,000 individually, will be auctioned off Thursday at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, the Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer reported Tuesday.

Officials said the items were seized through the state's unauthorized substance tax, which penalizes those caught with more than 42.5 grams of marijuana, 7 grams of cocaine or 7 grams of heroin.

Jill Lucas, spokeswoman for the state Department of Administration, said that while some of the objects up for auction might strike some as unusual, there is also more common jewelry.

"There is stuff in here that ordinary people would like," Lucas said, citing a ladies' Rolex appraised at $10,800. "I would not be at all offended if somebody bought me that watch."

The state is aiming to make $500,000 during Thursday's auction, officials said.